We are pleased to announce our upcoming conference, which will be held in Rome from August 2nd to 3rd as part of the 25th World Congress of Philosophy in Rome, taking place from August 1st to 8th. The topic of our conference is 'Scientific Understanding.'
In Memoriam Newton da Costa
Scholars and members of the Brazilian academic circles, colleagues and friends around the world are deeply saddened by Professor Newton Carneiro Affonso da Costa passing on Wednesday, April 17th, aged 94 years. Professor da Costa is survived by students, colleagues, friends, and family members who will deeply mourn his loss. With hundreds of published works, which receive thousands of citations, Newton da Costa was one of the most internationally recognized Brazilian academics. His scientific and philosophical legacy had a profound impact both within and outside Brazil and will certainly continue to be alive for generations to come.
We express our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.
In Memoriam Jean-Guy Meunier
It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing of our esteemed colleague, Professor Jean-Guy Meunier, in March this year. Professor Meunier's passion for the philosophy of science was evident in his teaching and scholarly pursuits, inspiring countless students and colleagues alike. His kindness and unwavering dedication to the advancement of knowledge will be remembered fondly by all who had the honor of working alongside him.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.
Latest publications from our members
Gerhard Schurz:
Optimality Justifications
New Foundations for Epistemology
The leading idea of epistemology in the enlightenment tradition was foundation-theoretic: to reach knowledge we must not legitimize our beliefs by external authorities, but justify them by rational arguments. Presently the foundation-theoretic ideal of justification has come under attack, the chief criticism being that been that its universal standards of justification are illusionary because the justificational regress problem is unsolvable. Alternatives to foundation-theoretic epistemology such as coherentism, externalism or dogmatism have been developed that give up central claims of enlightenment epistemology such empirical support, cognitive accessibility or rational justifiability.
In this book Gerhard Schurz develops a new account of foundation-theoretic epistemology based on the method of optimality justifications. Optimality justifications offer a solution to the regress problem. Rather than striving for a priori demonstrations of reliability, which are impossible, they show
that certain epistemic methods are optimal in regard to all accessible alternatives, which is more modestly but provably possible. In particular, optimality
justifications can achieve a non-circular justification of deductive, inductive and abductive reasoning. All in all this book pursues two goals: a general renewal of foundation-theoretic epistemology based on the account of optimality justifications, and the advancement of methods of optimality justification in important domains of epistemology and philosophy of science, logic and cognition. Connected with these two goals is the aspiration of this book to develop new ideas for mainstream epistemology as well as for formal epistemology, philosophy of science and cognitive science, intended to attract researchers, students and all other readers interested in these fields.
Published in 2024
Michel Ghins:
Scientific Realism and Laws of Nature:
A Metaphysics of Causal Powers
This book addresses central issues in the philosophy and metaphysics of science, namely
the nature of scientific theories, their partial truth, and the necessity of scientific laws within a moderate realist and empiricist perspective. Accordingly, good arguments in favour of the existence of unobservable entities postulated by our best theories, such as electrons, must be inductively grounded on perceptual experience and not their explanatory power as most defenders of scientific realism claim. Similarly, belief in the reality of dispositions such as causal powers which ground the natural necessity of scientific laws must be based on experience. Hence, this book offers a synthetic presentation of an original metaphysics of science, namely a metaphysics of properties, both categorical and dispositional, while at the same time opposing strong versions of necessitarism according to which laws are true in all possible worlds.
The main theses and arguments are clearly presented in a non-technical way. Thus, on top of being of interest to the specialists of the topics discussed, it is also useful as a textbook in courses for third year and more advanced university students.
Published in 2024.
Reinhard Kahle, Giovanni, Sommaruga -
Paul Bernays
Paul Bernays (1888–1977) belonged to a well-known German-Jewish family, tracing back to the Hamburg Chief Rabbi Isaak Bernays (1792–1848). As a collaborator of David Hilbert, one of the most significant mathematicians of his time, he made fundamental contributions to mathematical logic. Possessing Swiss citizenship, he found refuge in Zurich after his dismissal in Göttingen in 1933. This volume traces Bernays’ life, which was influenced not only by mathematics and logic but also by music and philosophy. His scientific career exemplifies the complexities of the 20th century. However, the modesty, kindness, and humanity of Paul Bernays stand in stark contrast to his times.
Published in 2023
Realism and antirealism in metaphysics, science and language
Festschrift for Mario Alai
The book includes several essays written by prominent contemporary philosophers as well as by younger researchers in honor of Mario Alai on the occasion of his 70th birthday. The single original contributions delve into different foundational issues in the philosophy of science, epistemology, philosophy of language, and metaphysics, and engage in rigorous analyses of the structure and workings of different forms of human knowledge. This fruitful variety of perspectives reflects the wide-ranging and multifaceted character of Mario Alai's philosophical work and interests. The book also includes an extensive reply written by Alai himself, which amply testifies to his lifelong commitment to passionate yet fair-minded philosophical debate.
Published in 2024
AIPS was created in 1947 by a Dominican Friar, Father Stanislas Dockx, a philosopher and theologian who was also a physicist and mathematician, with a concern for synthesis and epistemological critique.
The object of the Académie Internationale de Philosophie des Sciences (AIPS, International Academy for the Philosophy of the Sciences) is to try to reach a synthesis of the fundamental questions of the philosophy of the sciences in an interdisciplinary manner. It is to overcome all divisions, national, linguistic, institutional, and philosophical, in a spirit of research both free and exact, research in which results are shared with a view to a critical and intellectually fruitful outcome, in an environment favorable to personal and friendly contact between those engaged in the study.
Academic Board
prof. JURE ZOVKO - Président
prof. MICHEL GHINS - Vice président
Prof. REINHARD KAHLE Prof. REINHARD KAHLE - Vice-president
Prof. MARCO BUZZONI - Assessor
Prof. GINO TAROZZI - Assessor
Statement on Ukraine
Statement of the International Academy of Philosophy of Science (Brussels) on Russia's aggression against Ukraine