1st UFFS International Congress on Neurophilosophy: Neurophilosophy, after 40 years

The Group of Studies in Neurophilosophy (GENF), affiliated with the Federal University of Fronteira Sul (UFFS), has the honor of inviting researchers, faculty, and undergraduate and graduate students to its 1st UFFS International Congress on Neurophilosophy: Neurophilosophy, after 40 years, to be held in a hybrid format on May 11, 12, 13, and 14, 2026. This year, we celebrate four decades since the 1986 publication of Patricia Churchland's book Neurophilosophy: Toward a Unified Science of the Mind-Brain, widely recognized as the foundational point of Neurophilosophy. Since then, Neurophilosophy has established itself as a field of study that seeks a unified science of the mind-brain, involving disciplines such as neuroscience, philosophy, computing, psychology, and psychiatry. Thus, the 1st UFFS International Congress on Neurophilosophy: Neurophilosophy, after 40 years, aims to reflect on the advances, challenges, and future of trans- and interdisciplinarity in the study of the mind-brain over these 40 years, with special focus on Neurophilosophy in Brazil.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

Cesar Schirmer dos Santos (UFSM)

Federico Burdman (UAH)

Jonas Gonçalves Coelho (UNESP)

Osvaldo Pessoa Jr. (USP)

Patrícia Fanaya (UNB)

Preston Stovall (UHK)

Serdal Tümkaya (IHU)

Sergio Barberis (UBA)

Sofia Inês Stein (USP)

Steven Gouveia (UPORTO)

Zuleide Ignácio (UFFS)

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: 

• Submission Period: January 23 to February 28, 2026.

• Notification Acceptance: By March 30.

• Event Dates: May 11-14.

• Access: Online, via Google Meet. Links will be provided by email.

Thematic Axes:

1. Foundations of Neurophilosophy: Discussions on the legacy of Patricia Churchland and Paul Churchland and of Eliminative Materialism; History of the emergence of Neurophilosophy; Co-Evolution; New developments in the Churchlands' Neurophilosophy; New neurophilosophical interpretations of Neural Networks.

2. Neurophilosophy in Brazil: Political and theoretical reflections on how Neurophilosophy can be practiced authentically and freely in Brazil; Brazilian reception of the Churchlands' Neurophilosophy; Neurophilosophical trends in Brazil.

3. Neurophilosophy of Psychiatry: New explanatory models for brain-mind disorders (Schizophrenia, Mood Disorders, Personality Disorders, Sleep Disorders, Chronic Pain, Dementias, Aphasias, ASD, ADHD, Addictions, etc.); Elucidations on the co-evolutionary influence between Psychiatry and Neurophilosophy; Etiology and Pathogenesis in Psychiatry; Diagnostic challenges.

4. Consciousness, Cognition, and Evolution: New approaches concerning the explanatory gap; Evolutionary arguments related to Neurophilosophy; Evolutionary plausibility and Neurophilosophy.

5. Free Will and Neurosciences: New explanatory models of free will; Denial of free will; (In)Compatibilism; (In)Determinism; Agency.

6. Neuroethics and Neural Law: Moral challenges posed by new neurotechnologies and brain interventions; Co-evolution between Neurophilosophy and Law; Neuronal anti-racism; Neuronal injustice; Neurophilosophical discussions on gender.

7. Reductionist and Non-Reductionist Neurophilosophy: Discussions on the limits of intertheoretic reduction; Interpretative failures of non-reductionism; Defense of the Churchlands' Eliminative Materialism.

  Instructions for Abstract Submission [Oral Presentations]:  Abstracts must be submitted in PDF format to the email [email protected], with the Subject line: Congress / Abstract Submission, accompanied by a separate identification file, following the guidelines below:  

• Identification File (Digitally Signed): Full name(s), highest degree, institutional affiliation, and funding agency support listed below the title.
• Languages: Abstracts may be submitted in Portuguese or English. The oral presentation must be delivered in the same language as the abstract.
• Title: Centered and in bold.
• Body Text: Between 200-300 words. Must clearly contain: objective, theoretical framework, and conclusions (or expected results).
• Keywords: 3 terms.
• Bibliographic References: According to APA standards, only the 5 main references.
• Formatting: Times New Roman font, size 12, 1.5 line spacing. All abstracts must be prepared for double-blind review by the scientific committee. That is, they must not contain any form of personal identification.

  Note: By submitting an abstract, the author grants permission for its subsequent publication in the event's official Book of Abstracts.  

Coordination:

Alisson Brandemarte Moreira (UFFS, GENF)

João Pedro Ávila Teixeira (UFMG, GENF)

Organization & Scientific Committee:

Ediovani Antônio Gaboardi (UFFS, GENF)

Flávio Miguel Zimmermann (UFFS, GENF)

João Carlos Lopes do Prado (UFFS, GENF)

Newton Soares Santarossa (UFSC, GENF)

Maria Luiza Iennaco (USP, GENF)

Marcio Martins (UFMT, GENF)

Yasmin Maeda de Souza (PUC/RS, GENF)

More information: