Ratio \;Annual Conference on Animals and Philosophy
\nDate: \;1st \;of May\, 2026 from 09:00 to 18:00
\nLocation: \;LONDON ROAD L22 110
University of Reading\, Reading
Details: \;While once neglected among philosophers\, animals have recently become much more central to philosophical debates\, from the philosophy of mind to ethics and political philosophy. In part\, this reflects the growing public demand to take animal rights and welfare more seriously. Thanks to the work of philosophers\, the UK government even changed their legislation to recognise octopuses and decapod crustaceans (shrimp\, lobsters\, crabs) as sentient creatures worthy of protection. The study of animal minds has profound implications for how we ought to treat other species. As our understanding of animal cognition\, sentience\, and emotional capacities continues to advance\, philosophers and scientists face pressing questions about what these discoveries entail for ethics\, policy\, and philosophy itself.
\nThe \;Ratio \;Annual Conference 2026 \;brings together five leading philosophers working on animals to discuss the future of animals\, both within the field of philosophy\, as well as science and public policy:
\n·\; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \;Heather Browning (University of Southampton)
\n·\; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \;Oscar Horta (University of Santiago de Compostela)
\n·\; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \;Kyle Johannsen (Trent University &\; \;Queen's \;University)
\n·\; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \;Josh Milburn (Loughborough University)
\n·\; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \;Walter Veit (University of Reading)
\nLunch will be provided. All are welcome\, but spaces are \;limited!
\nRegistration required. \;
\nRegister at: \;https://www.store.reading.ac.uk/conferences-and-events/school-of-philosophy-politics-and-economics/philosophy/ratio-annual-conference-on-animals-and-philosophy
\nContact: \;For any queries\, contact the organiser: Walter Veit (w.r.w.veit@reading.ac.uk) \;
ORGANIZER;CN=Walter Veit: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260415T204522Z DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260512T090000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260512T170000 SUMMARY:Aesthetic Judgment\, Criticism\, and Conversation UID:20260418T033911Z-iCalPlugin-Grails@philevents-web-f5d4878dd-x5n6c TZID:Europe/London LOCATION:Foxhill House\, Reading\, United Kingdom DESCRIPTION:A one-day workshop on connections between aesthetic judgment\, the practice of criticism\, and accounting for our judgments in conversation.
ORGANIZER;CN=Nat Hansen: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260415T204522Z DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260708T090000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260710T170000 SUMMARY:Joint Session 2026 UID:20260418T033912Z-iCalPlugin-Grails@philevents-web-f5d4878dd-x5n6c TZID:Europe/London LOCATION:Whiteknights Campus\, Reading\, United Kingdom DESCRIPTION:The Joint Session is a three-day conference in philosophy held annually by the Aristotelian Societyand the Mind Association. It has taken place at nearly every major university across the United Kingdom and Ireland. Since 1910\, the Joint Session has grown to become the largest gathering of philosophers in the country\, attracting prestigious UK and international speakers working in a broad range of philosophical areas.
\nInaugurated by the incoming President of the Mind Association &ndash\; this year\, Professor Rosanna Keefe&ndash\; the Joint Session includes symposia\, open\, postgraduate\, and SWIP sessions. \;
ORGANIZER;CN=Luke Elson: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR