International Conference Phronesis in Theory and Practice 8–9 May 2025
Instytut of Philosophy University of Gdańsk
The central focus of the conference is the concept of phronesis, which originates from Aristotle’s classical philosophy and continues to inspire academics and practitioners across various disciplines to this day. The conference will address two main areas of research related to this concept:
a) The conceptual analysis of phronesis;
b) Its relevance and use in various fields of applied ethics.
Here are a selection of the key questions that we invite participants to explore during the conference:
- How should we understand phronesis today (as a disposition, a skill, competence or a character trait)?
- What elements does phronesis encompass (moral knowledge, empathy, self-control)?
- How can it be acquired and developed (through reflection, practice, good examples)?
- Is practical wisdom necessary in today’s world, and if so, why?
- What are its applications in the individual or social sphere?
- How is it utilized in applied ethics?
- Is there one universal phronesis, or should we instead speak of various kinds of practical wisdom characteristic to more specific contexts such as medicine, law, teaching, or politics?
Our keynote speakers:
Mario de Caro
https://as.tufts.edu/philosophy/people/faculty/mario-decaro
John Hacker-Wright
https://www.uoguelph.ca/arts/philosophy/people/john-hacker-wright
Lauris C. Kaldjian
https://medicine.uiowa.edu/internalmedicine/profile/lauris-kaldjian
Kristján Kristjánsson
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/education/kristjansson-kristjan
Details of the conference
The conference will last two days. There will be plenary sessions in the mornings with lectures by keynote speakers (each lecture is 1 hour and 30 minutes long, including discussion). In the afternoons, there will be group sessions (each presentation will last about 30 minutes, including a discussion).
Details
- 17 March 2025 – 300-word abstract to be submitted: pawel.sikora@phdstud.ug.edu.pl
- 24 March 2025 – the latest notification of acceptance
- 16 April 2025 – payment deadline
- 8 – 9.05 – conference
Conference registration fee: 100 euros or 420 PLN
Includes:
- Conference materials
- Coffee, tea, water, and snacks (coffee break)
- Lunches (8–9.05.2025)
Conference dinner (optional) 35 euros or 150 zł
