Research at Philosophy

Practical philosophy focuses on human values and actions, and their justification. It examines topics such as the organization of a just society and the grounds on which individual actions are morally justified. Theoretical philosophy, on the other hand, addresses fundamental questions concerning reality, knowledge, and thought, such as existence, truth, and reasoning. Its key areas include metaphysics, epistemology, logic, philosophy of mind and language. The research conducted in these two branches within the department is closely interconnected and mutually supportive.

In recent years, the research of several scholars has focused on four broader thematic areas:

1. Applied Ethics, which in the department includes bioethics, research ethics, and environmental philosophy. Research in bioethics addresses ethical questions arising from biosciences and medicine. Research ethics focuses on promoting good scientific practices, ethical training, and the ethical pre-evaluation of research proposals. Environmental philosophy examines the relationship between humans and nature, particularly from environmental ethics and conservation perspectives, as well as ethical issues brought about by climate change.
   International Chair in Bioethics Finland
   Nordic Environmental Ethics Network
   Turku Environmental Ethics Research Center
2. Social and Political Philosophy, a central area of practical philosophy, encompasses a wide range of topics. Core themes in this research have included justice, democracy, and collective responsibility, as well as their practical and theoretical dimensions. Often, this research has explored the relationship between the individual and the community and the application of moral principles within societal structures. Within these themes, the department has studied, for instance, the significance of compromise, the effects of secrecy and self-deception on ethical actions by individuals and communities, and the ethical and epistemological dimensions of conspiracy theories.
3. Early Modern Philosophy. The department is renowned for its high-quality research in early modern philosophy, particularly on the thought of René Descartes, Baruch Spinoza, and Immanuel Kant. Research areas include metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of mind, and moral philosophy. Special attention is given to how these philosophers addressed the nature of reality, the possibilities of knowledge, the functioning of the human mind, and the foundation of moral values. Several of Kant’s works have been translated into Finnish, including his seminal Critique of Pure Reason.
   Kant in Finnish
4. Philosophy of Mind. Research in this area focuses on fundamental questions concerning the nature of the human mind, such as theories of consciousness, issues of self-awareness and personal identity, and the temporal structure of consciousness. In the philosophy of perception, researchers examine the relationship between perception and cognition and how mental states reflect or represent external reality. Furthermore, the department’s research includes the philosophy of action, particularly regarding self-control. This research employs traditional philosophical and interdisciplinary approaches, integrating insights from neuroscience and cognitive science.

In addition to these main themes, individual researchers are engaged in various other research topics, enriching the department’s broad research profile. These topics include the philosophy of language, the philosophy of artificial intelligence, and philosophical studies on gambling. Some research spans multiple thematic areas, illustrating the close relationship between practical and theoretical philosophy within the department.

The department also organizes a recurring research seminar, the Philosophers’ Club, which convenes regularly. The speakers include researchers, doctoral students from the University of Turku, and visiting philosophers.
See here for the Philosophers’ Club current program.

Detailed information on the specific research interests and projects of researchers and doctoral candidates is available via their contact information.