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Call for Posters: The Vienna Circle and Logical Empiricism. Vienna, October 19-21, 2026

by Wiener Kreis Gesellschaft

CALL FOR POSTERS International Conference The Vienna Circle and Logical Empiricism - Research and Historiography Organizers: Institute Vienna Circle, University of Vienna, and Vienna Circle Society Programme Committee: Esther Heinrich-Ramharter, Martin Kusch, Elisabeth Nemeth, Georg Schiemer (Co-Chair), Friedrich Stadler (Co-Chair) Date: October 19-21, 2026 Location: Aula, Campus of the University of Vienna, Court 1 Research and publications on the Vienna Circle and Logical Empiricism are growing and flourishing for decades. On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Institute Vienna Circle and 90 years after the assassination of Moritz Schlick, the founder of the Vienna Circle, it seems reasonable to critically assess and re-evaluate the scholarly output on the history and influence of the Vienna Circle as a collective as well as of its individual members. The aim of this conference is to focus on added values and novelties in research and publications as well as from the perspective of theoretical sustainability. A special attention is laid on archival sources with new results and on completed and running research projects dealing with Carnap, Gödel, Neurath, and Schlick, in addition to gender and migration studies. Sections: 1. The Vienna Circle and Logical Empiricism as collective phenomena 2. Individual members: From Gustav Bergmann to Edgar Zilsel 3. The Philosophical Periphery: Einstein, Popper, Ramsey, Russell, Wittgenstein etc. 4. The European Context: Berlin, Cambridge, Helsinki, Prague, Paris, Warsaw 5. The “Americanization” and Diaspora: Reception and Influence 6. The Gender Dimension: Women in/of Logical Empiricism 7. The Vienna Circle / Logical Empiricism in contemporary history of philosophy of science, scientific and analytic philosophy 8. Neglected research topics and future perspectives Workshop 1: Exhibitions and movies on the Vienna Cricle and its members Workshop 2: Completes, running and planned Edition Projects (Carnap, Gödel, Schlick …) Workshop 3: Archives and Primary Sources, VALEP Keynote speakers: Juliet Floyd (Boston) 9th Arthur Pap Lecture 2026 Alan Richardson (Vancouver) Michael Friedman Memorial Lecture 2026 Jan von Plato (Helsinki) 34th Vienna Circle Lecture 2026 Confirmed speakers: Francesca Biagioli (Turin), Anna Brożek (Warsaw), Hans-Joachim Dahms (Berlin), Christian Damböck (Vienna), David Edmonds (London), Eva-Maria Engelen (Berlin), Massimo Ferrari (Turin), Johannes Friedl (Graz), Janette Friedrich (Geneva), Maria Carla Galavotti (Bologna), Michael Heidelberger (Tübingen), Veronika Hofer (Wien), Ulf Höfer (Graz),Hannes Leitgeb (Munich), Martin Lemke (Rostock), Alexander Linsbichler (Linz), Christoph Limbeck-Lilienau (Vienna), Flavia Padovani (Philadelphia), Günther Sandner (Vienna), Sahotra Sarkar (Austin), Christoph Schuringa (London), Anne Siegetsleitner (Innsbruck), Karl Sigmund (Vienna), Michael Stöltzner (Columbia, SC), Bastian Stoppelkamp (Wien), Marta Sznajder (Vienna / Munich), Ádám T. Tuboly (Pécs), Sander Verhaegh (Tilburg), Thomas Uebel (Manchester), Pierre Wagner (Paris) CALL FOR POSTERS: Especially junior scholars are invited to send an abstract (not more than 500 words) suitable for blind review, of the proposed poster presentation in conjunction with one of the above listed section topics latest by March 31, 2026, to: Georg.Schiemer(a)univie.ac.at and Friedrich.Stadler(a)univie.ac.at Notification date: April 30, 2026 The organizers will support submitters of accepted posters after application with a certain amount for travel and/or accommodation dependent on the final conference budget. -- Friedrich Stadler Professor for History and Philosophy of Science, University of Vienna, ret. Institute Vienna Circle (Permanent Fellow) https://wienerkreis.univie.ac.at/ Vienna Circle Society (Director) http://www.univie.ac.at/vcs/ Forum Contemporary History of the University of Vienna https://forum-zeitgeschichte.univie.ac.at/ Austrian Ludwig Wittgenstein Society (Former President, Consultant) http://www.alws.at Turin Academy of Sciences (Foreign Member) https://www.accademiadellescienze.it/accademia/soci/friedrich-stadler Email: Friedrich.Stadler(a)univie.ac.at, Postal Address: Universität Wien, Universitätscampus, Hof 1.13, Spitalgasse 2, 1090 Wien, Austria Personal Website: https://vcs.univie.ac.at/stadler/FS_short.pdf

6 months, 3 weeks

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Vienna Circle Society - Activities 2026

by Wiener Kreis Gesellschaft

Dear friends and colleagues, for those of you interested in the acitivies of the Vienna Circle Society, please find attached this year’s program, which lists our events and publications, once again organized in close cooperation with the Institute Vienna Circle: https://wienerkreis.univie.ac.at/ <https://wienerkreis.univie.ac.at/>. The brochure is also available on our website: https://vcs.univie.ac.at <https://vcs.univie.ac.at>. A particular highlight of 2026 will be our 35^th anniversary conference: *The Vienna Circle and Logical Empiricism – Research and Historiography* _Organizers:_ Institute Vienna Circle, University of Vienna, and Vienna Circle Society _Programme Committee:_Esther Heinrich-Ramharter, Martin Kusch, Elisabeth Nemeth, Georg Schiemer (Co-Chair), Friedrich Stadler (Co-Chair) _Date:_October 19-21, 2026 _Location:_Aula and Old Chapel, Campus of the University of Vienna, Court 1 In addition to eight sections and three workshops, the conference will feature a poster exhibition. The call for posters is available here: https://vcs.univie.ac.at/VC+LE2026CfP.pdf <https://vcs.univie.ac.at/VC+LE2026CfP.pdf>(deadline: March 31, 2026!). The annual Vienna Circle Lecture and the Arthur Pap Lecture will take place as part of this conference: Juliet Floyd (Boston) will deliver the *9th Arthur Pap Lecture*, and Jan von Plato (Helsinki) will present the *34th Vienna Circle Lecture*. In 2026, we will also inaugurate the *Michael Friedman Memorial Lecture*, to be given by Alan Richardson (Vancouver). On June 22, we will hold a memorial workshop marking the *90th anniversary of Moritz Schlick’s death*. Until April, you will still have the opportunity to visit the exhibition */Knowledge for Everyone – Isotype. The Picture Language from Vienna/* (curated by Günther Sandner, Susanne Winkler, and Werner Schwarz) at the Wien Museum. In addition to this, our exhibition */Orte des Wiener Kreises. Wien und die Wissenschaftliche Weltauffassung/*(/Wienbibliothek im Rathaus/) is now available online as a web exhibition: You can visit it here: https://online-ausstellungen.wienbibliothek.at/wiener-kreis/de/startseite/ These are only a few highlights besides many talks during the year. The full program is attached and available online. We warmly invite you to join us for our events and look forward to another exciting year of lectures, conferences, and book presentations. With our best wishes and greetings, also on behalf of the secretary general, /Zarah Weiss,/ /Friedrich Stadler/ (President/Director of the VCS, Permanent Fellow of the IVC)

6 months, 3 weeks

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Philosophy of science group presents: talk by Prof. Dr. Carrie Figdor (University of Iowa)_March 19, 2026 at 17:15_Seminarraum 3a (D0312)

by Florian Kolowrat

Dear colleagues, _Philosophy of science group presents: talk by Prof. Dr. Carrie Figdor (University of Iowa), March 19, 2026 at 17:15_Seminarraum 3a (D0312)._ We cordially invite all of you to a talk by Prof. Dr. Carrie Figdor <https://philosophy.uiowa.edu/people/carrie-figdor> (Department of Philosophy and Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa, Honorary Professor, School of Philosophy, Psychology, and Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh (2025-2027). Date: March 19, 2026 at 17:15 Venue: Seminarraum 3a (D0312) <https://philosophie.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/i_philosophie/Orient…> Department of Philosophy, Universitätsstraße 7, A-1010 Vienna <https://philosophie.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/i_philosophie/Orient…> Title: /Possible Minds in Possible Bodies: Empirical and Conceptual Considerations and Constraints/ _Abstract: _Could a brainless biological entity be conscious? Or a non-biological entity with a brainlike processor? In this talk I’ll outline the main conceptual, semantic, and computational methods we need to state unambiguous hypotheses about mind/body possibilities and to assess their truth in the light of up-to-date knowledge about actual minds and bodies. I’ll also consider the implications of this empirically-grounded approach for longstanding debates in philosophy of mind between dualists and materialists, and reductive and non-reductive physicalists. Registration is free: If you would like to participate, please send an e-mail to Florian Kolowrat at florian.kolowrat(a)univie.ac.at We look forward to your participation and to engaging discussions! With kind regards Florian Kolowrat -- *Florian Kolowrat * Universität Wien | University of Vienna Institut für Philosophie | Department of Philosophy Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Wien | Vienna Organisational Assistant to Univ.-Prof. Mag. Mag. Dr. Georg Schiemer Department of Philosophy – University of Vienna Organisational Assistant to Univ.-Prof. Tarja Knuuttila, MSc M.Soc.Sc PhD Department of Philosophy – University of Vienna Mail: Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Wien E-Mail: florian.kolowrat(a)univie.ac.at Phone: +43-1-4277-46461 Web: https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/ person.html?id=53614 <https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/person.html?id=53614> <https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/person.html?id=53614>

6 months, 3 weeks

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Einladung zur Buchpräsentation "Euro-Transhumanism"

by philosophie＠univie.ac.at

Guten Tag, im Namen von Arno Böhler informieren wir über folgende Veranstaltung am Institut: Herzliche Einladung zur Buchpräsentation Euro-Transhumanism von Stefan Lorenz Sorgner 19.03.2026 | 18:3020:00 Room 3D NIG (Neues Institutsgebäude) Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Wien Was wäre, wenn die Zukunft der Menschheit nicht von der Vision des Silicon Valley bestimmt würde? Am Rand ihrer Auflösung steht der europäische Humanismus vor tiefgreifenden Herausforderungen: Künstliche Intelligenz, Biotechnologie und posthumanistische Theorie verändern grundlegend, was es bedeutet, Mensch zu sein. Die klassischen Ideale von Wahrheit, Güte und Schönheit einst der moralische und ästhetische Kompass der europäischen Tradition geraten dabei zunehmend in eine neue, verzerrte Form. Dieses Buch führt die Leserinnen und Leser in den Euro-Transhumanismus ein eine eigenständige, philosophisch fundierte Alternative zum individualistischen und technokratischen Fokus des klassischen Transhumanismus. Es knüpft an die kontinentaleuropäische Kulturtradition an, lehnt Eurozentrismus, utopische Fantasien und dualistisches Denken ab und untersucht pragmatische Wege, die Vielfalt menschlichen Gelingens zu erweitern. Es ist eine anregende Einladung, unsere Zukunft kritisch neu zu denken.

6 months, 3 weeks

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Early Chinese Philosophy Reading Group

by Solmeng Hirschi

Dear all, I hope you're having a nice start to the new semester. I would like to draw your attention to a new series of reading groups that I am now co-running together with Flaminia Pischedda (Department of Linguistics) focused on Early Chinese texts. This semester we will read the _Mencius _which is one of the foundational works of the Confucian tradition and a key philosophical text of the Warring States period (V-III century BCE). This text is famous for its optimistic view that "human nature is good." If you are interested in joining us, please send an email to me (solmeng.hirschi(a)univie.ac.at) or flaminia.pischedda(a)univie.ac.at in order to be added to the mailing list. You will then receive all information and updates. We usually meet fortnightly during semester. We will begin with Chapter 1. You can find a full translation here: http://www.acmuller.net/con-dao/mencius.html [1] The first session will take place on Thursday March 19, at 4-6 PM, at Apostelgasse 23 in the 3rd district. Many thanks, and I look forward to seeing you there! All the best, Solmeng -- Solmeng-Jonas Hirschi, PhD Postdoctoral Researcher in Ancient Philosophy and Classics FWF-Projekt: "_Magna Moralia: Critical Edition, Translation and Commentary_" Department of Philosophy, Universitätsstraße 7 (NIG), 1010 Wien solmeng.hirschi(a)univie.ac.at https://antikephilosophie.univie.ac.at/forschungsprojekte/ Links: ------ [1] http://www.acmuller.net/con-dao/mencius.html

6 months, 3 weeks

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REMINDER: KiC One-day workshop on Semantic Indecision, 5 March 2026 (tomorrow)

by Max Kölbel

Reminder: Dear all, There will be a one-day workshop on Semantic Indecision tomorrow (5 March 2026). Anyone interested is cordially invited to attend. The schedule, including titles and abstracts, is below. Best, Max. KiC Workshop on Semantic Indecision 5 March 2026 Room 3A, NIG, Universitätsstr 7, 3rd floor 10–11.15 Bryan Pickel, Glasgow: "Immanent Interpretation” 11.30–12.45 Emelia Stanley, Vienna: "Formalising Open Texture" lunch 14.15–15.30 Richard Lawrence, Vienna: "Sharp definitions of concepts and the chaos of experience" 15.45–17.00 Max Kölbel, Vienna: “A Conservative Approach to Semantic Indeterminacy” 17.15–18.30 John MacFarlane, Berkeley: “Felicitous Underspecification" Bryan Pickel, University of Glasgow (joint work with Derek Ball, University of St Andrews): "Immanent Interpretation” Abstract: Famous arguments purport to show that all, or a substantial fragment, of language is indeterminate in meaning. According to these arguments, if a speaker uses a sentence to express a proposition in a context, then an interpreter must (in principle at least) have more evidence favouring this proposition as the correct interpretation rather than rival interpretations. These arguments appeal to the claim that the interpreter or audience does not have sufficient evidence favouring one interpretation over its rivals. We show that these arguments fail because they ignore evidence that is available to interpreters – evidence that arises from the interpreters themselves as language users. But, our aim is not merely to rebut indeterminacy arguments. We construct a research strategy—immanent interpretation—for interpreters to meet the concerns of the proponents of indeterminacy arguments. We conclude by discussing important limitations on immanent interpretation. Emelia Stanley, University of Vienna: "Formalising Open Texture" Abstract: Waismann’s (1947) notion of open texture captures a species of (non‐sorietal) semantic‐ and truth‐vagueness: that a concept can both apply and disapply to some given case, within a context of application. Noting that open texture resists characterisation in a classical framework, I present an original formalisation the notion. Using this model I then conjecture, contra Waismann, that open‐texture does not only occur in mathematics, but that it plays an indispensable role in characterising its epistemology, and particularly its resolution strategies for crises of non‐trivial disagreement. Richard Lawrence, University of Vienna: "Sharp definitions of concepts and the chaos of experience" Abstract: Frege insists that, for logical purposes, concepts must be sharply defined, and this assumption is now deeply embedded in our contemporary approaches to semantics. Yet we have lost track of one of the background assumptions of classical German philosophy which was part of Frege's reason for that insistence: the idea that experience is initially an unstructured chaos, on which we must impose structure by actively seeking to grasp concepts in thought. I will argue that this background played an important role in some of Frege's semantic ideas, and that it is worth revisiting as we try to characterize phenomena like vagueness. Max Kölbel, University of Vienna: “A Conservative Approach to Semantic Indeterminacy” Abstract: So-called "felicitous underspecification" seems to be ubiquitous. Nevertheless communication succeeds effortlessly. A number of theorists (e.g. Viebahn, MacFarlane, King and others) have made proposals as to how semanticists should model this phenomenon. Some have proposed new-fangled semantic contents to do justice to the phenomenon. Others have offered pragmatic explanations of communicative success. In this talk, I want to draw attention to a third, more conservative approach that can at least in some cases be employed to explain what is going on. John MacFarlane, University of California at Berkeley: "Felicitous Underspecification” Abstract: In recent work, Jeffrey King has called our attention to the problem of "felicitous underspecification": felicitous uses of context-sensitive language in the absence of determinate intentions about the needed contextual supplementation. An example would be talk of a "local shop" in the absence of a determinate intention about whether we mean local-to-the-city or local-to-the-county. After discussing the problems raised by this phenomenon, I consider King's own solution and argue that it is inadequate. I then describe the solution I think is needed, which makes use of the basic ideas of Allan Gibbard's plan expressivism. According to this approach, ordinary descriptive claims like "I went to a local bar" must be understood as expressive of practical plans for the use of words, as well as ordinary beliefs. Indeterminacy amounts to practical indecision. ––––––––––––––––––––– Max Kölbel Institut für Philosophie Institutsvorstand Head of Department Professur für analytische Philosophie und Sprachphilosophie Chair of Analytic Philosophy and Philosophy of Language Philosophy as Conceptual Engagement (PACE), FWF doc.funds project https://pace.phl.univie.ac.at/ Knowledge in Crisis, FWF Cluster of Excellence project https://www.knowledgeincrisis.com/ Universität Wien Universitätsstraße 7 (NIG) 1010 Wien Austria Tel: +43 1 4277 46470 max.koelbel(a)univie.ac.at

6 months, 3 weeks

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CFA: Summer School with Kit Fine on Decision Making under Parity

by Yannic Kappes

Dear colleagues, Benjamin Schnieder and I are organizing a summer school - please forward to anyone who might be interested in participating: The phlox research group is delighted to announce that the 2026 Hamburg/Vienna Summer School will be taught by Kit Fine (NYU). This year’s topic will be *Decision Making under Parity*. *Description* How should we do decision theory without making the assumption that preferences are linearly ordered? We shall first consider two standard approaches to this question, one in terms of approximate value and the other in terms of a range of precise values. We shall then develop our own approach, which uses the notion of an approximate difference in value between two items in place of the notion of the approximate value of a single item. The course will cover a range of philosophical and technical issues. The event will take place from Monday, July 20th to Friday, July 24th at the University of Vienna. For more information, please visit https://hamburgersommerkurs.wordpress.com *Call for attendance* We very much welcome external participants to the Summer School, though only a limited number of spaces are available. If you would like to participate, please send a registration email, attaching (i) a brief CV, and (ii) a short letter indicating how the course would benefit your work, to phlox-school (at) gmx (dot) de Registration is open until April 30th; we will notify applicants by the 10th of May. Best wishes, Yannic Kappes

6 months, 4 weeks

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VO-L Ringvorlesung + Festival

by philosophie＠univie.ac.at

Guten Tag, im Namen von Arno Böhler informieren wir über folgende Veranstaltung am Institut: VO-L Ringvorlesung + Festival Philosophy on Stage (2026S) Introduction to Artistic Research and Performance Philosophy in Theory and Practice (180033 | 5 ECTS | Sprache: Englisch | Leitung: Arno Böhler) Ein integraler Bestandteil der Lehrveranstaltung ist das Festival PHILOSOPHY ON STAGE #6: Notebook of the Heart (9.–12. April 2026) im brut nordwest (Nordwestbahnstraße 8–10, 1200 Wien). Das Festival ist öffentlich zugänglich und lädt alle Interessierten herzlich ein. Eintritt frei nach Anmeldung. Weitere Informationen: brut-wien.at mdw.ac.at/the.heart

6 months, 4 weeks

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Invitation: UPSalon Stammtisch - 18.3.2026 at Café Weingartner

by Initiative to Support Women in Academic Philosophy

Dear all, we hope that you are looking as much forward to the next semester as we are! We are happy to announce the date, time and venue for the next UPSalon Stammtisch: Wednesday, 18.3.2026, 19:00 at Café Weingartner (Goldschlagstraße 6). UPSalon are a group of students, doctoral and post-doctoral researchers at the department of philosophy; the initiative aims at creating a space and community in Vienna where underrepresented philosophers - such as women, trans, inter and non-binary persons, BIPOC, socioeconomically disadvantaged people, queer people, and people with disabilities - can connect on a regular basis at events and informal gatherings. We are looking forward to resuming the conversations we had at our last meeting in January, and are happy about new people who want to join. We also want to remind you that our first event of next semester, the Trans*Formations talk by Anna Klieber, will take place on Monday, 23.3., 18:30-20:00 at HS 3F, NIG. Please find the event description below and the poster attached. Looking forward to seeing you there too! With all the best, UPSalon ------ EINLADUNG zum Trans*Formations Vortrag von Dr. Anna Klieber, Cardiff University 23.3. 2026, 18:30-20:00, HS 3F „Sich einen Namen machen": trans Namensfindung und Namensgebung als subversive linguistische Praktiken Abstract: In diesem Vortrag argumentiere ich, dass geschlechtsspezifische Namensgebung eine sozio-linguistische Praktik darstellt, die Individuen im sozialen Raum _verortet_. Diese Verortungen passieren in den häufigsten Fällen entlang cis-normativer Vorstellungen zu Geschlecht: Namentliche Einteilung erfolgt entlang binärer, geschlechtsspezifischer Schemata, Benannte haben selten Entscheidungskraft über ihren Namen. In vielen Gesellschaften trägt der gegebene Name mitunter die Funktion, Geschlechtszugehörigkeit nach außen zu kommunizieren. Namensänderungen in der trans Community stellen demnach _linguistische Neuverortungen_ dar, die, angesichts der cis-normativen Namensgebungspraktiken unserer Gesellschaft, subversives Potenzial haben können. Dies wird insbesondere dann deutlich, wenn wir diese Namensgebungen aus Perspektive der trans Community selbst betrachten, jenseits des Interpretationsrahmens des cis-normativen Mainstreams. Ziel meines Vortrages ist es aufzuzeigen, dass der subversive Charakter von Namensgebung im trans Community Kontext sowohl aus der Wiedererlangung jener Autorität stammt, die Benannten normalerweise nicht zugestanden wird, als auch in einer Neuinterpretation der Einschränkungen, die von cis-normativen Namensgebungspraktiken vorgeschrieben werden. Bio: Dr. Klieber forscht in den Bereichen feministische, soziale und politische Sprachphilosophie, trans Philosophie, und Sozialepistemologie, sowie den Überschneidungen dieser Bereiche. Vor der Dozentur in Cardiff studierte Dr. Klieber an der Karl-Franzens Universität Graz (BA und MA) und der University of Sheffield (Doktorat). Nach dem Vortrag wird es ein Q & A sowie Snacks und Getränke geben! Wir freuen auch sehr auf die drei weiteren Veranstaltungen der Trans*Formations Reihe im SS 2026: Den Cognitive-Science Vortrag von Luana Pesarini (Universität Frankfurt) am 30.4.2026, eine Veranstaltung mit Fokus auf Law & Gender Mitte Mai, und im Juni einen feierlichen Semesterabschluss zum Thema Gender Euphoria, für den wir bereits Quill Kukla (Georgetown University), Eric A. Stanley (University of California, Berkeley), Luce deLire (Humboldt Universität zu Berlin) und Tris Hedges (University of Copenhagen) als Vortragende gewinnen konnten. Bei unseren früheren Veranstaltungen durften wir Luce deLire [1], Alyosxa Tudor [2], Eric Llaveria Caselles [3], Emelia Stanley, [4] Emma Heaney [5], Juliana Gleeson, [6] Gen Eickers & Sigmond Richli [7] und Jonah I. Garde [8] am Institut für Philosophie begrüßen. Wir freuen uns über die Weiterleitung dieser Einladung an Interessierte und danken Noah [9] für die Illustration am Poster! Mit lieben Grüßen, das Trans*Formations Orga Team Links: ------ [1] https://philosophie.univie.ac.at/en/news-events/nachrichten-news-events/det… [2] https://philosophie.univie.ac.at/news-events/nachrichten-news-events/detail… [3] https://philosophie.univie.ac.at/news-events/nachrichten-news-events/detail… [4] https://philosophie.univie.ac.at/news-events/nachrichten-news-events/detail… [5] https://lists.philo.at/hyperkitty/list/news@lists.philo.at/thread/GIUSVC6TO… [6] https://philosophie.univie.ac.at/news-events/nachrichten-news-events/detail… [7] https://urise.univie.ac.at/mod/booking/optionview.php?cmid=293&optionid… [8] https://lists.philo.at/hyperkitty/list/news@lists.philo.at/thread/ZUJBVRNM7… [9] https://www.instagram.com/p/DTP4qCJjFcG/

7 months

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KiC One-day workshop on Semantic Indecision, 5 March 2026

by Max Kölbel

Dear all, There will be a one-day workshop on Semantic Indecision next week on Thursday. Anyone interested is cordially invited to attend. The schedule, including titles and abstracts, is below. Best, Max. KiC Workshop on Semantic Indecision 5 March 2026 Room 3A, NIG, Universitätsstr 7, 3rd floor 10–11.15 Bryan Pickel, Glasgow: "Immanent Interpretation” 11.30–12.45 Emelia Stanley, Vienna: "Formalising Open Texture" lunch 14.15–15.30 Richard Lawrence, Vienna: "Sharp definitions of concepts and the chaos of experience" 15.45–17.00 Max Kölbel, Vienna: “A Conservative Approach to Semantic Indeterminacy” 17.15–18.30 John MacFarlane, Berkeley: TBA Bryan Pickel, University of Glasgow (joint work with Derek Ball, University of St Andrews): "Immanent Interpretation” Abstract: Famous arguments purport to show that all, or a substantial fragment, of language is indeterminate in meaning. According to these arguments, if a speaker uses a sentence to express a proposition in a context, then an interpreter must (in principle at least) have more evidence favouring this proposition as the correct interpretation rather than rival interpretations. These arguments appeal to the claim that the interpreter or audience does not have sufficient evidence favouring one interpretation over its rivals. We show that these arguments fail because they ignore evidence that is available to interpreters – evidence that arises from the interpreters themselves as language users. But, our aim is not merely to rebut indeterminacy arguments. We construct a research strategy—immanent interpretation—for interpreters to meet the concerns of the proponents of indeterminacy arguments. We conclude by discussing important limitations on immanent interpretation. Emelia Stanley, University of Vienna: "Formalising Open Texture" Abstract: Waismann’s (1947) notion of open texture captures a species of (non‐sorietal) semantic‐ and truth‐vagueness: that a concept can both apply and disapply to some given case, within a context of application. Noting that open texture resists characterisation in a classical framework, I present an original formalisation the notion. Using this model I then conjecture, contra Waismann, that open‐texture does not only occur in mathematics, but that it plays an indispensable role in characterising its epistemology, and particularly its resolution strategies for crises of non‐trivial disagreement. Richard Lawrence, University of Vienna: "Sharp definitions of concepts and the chaos of experience" Abstract: Frege insists that, for logical purposes, concepts must be sharply defined, and this assumption is now deeply embedded in our contemporary approaches to semantics. Yet we have lost track of one of the background assumptions of classical German philosophy which was part of Frege's reason for that insistence: the idea that experience is initially an unstructured chaos, on which we must impose structure by actively seeking to grasp concepts in thought. I will argue that this background played an important role in some of Frege's semantic ideas, and that it is worth revisiting as we try to characterize phenomena like vagueness. Max Kölbel, University of Vienna: “A Conservative Approach to Semantic Indeterminacy” Abstract: So-called "felicitous underspecification" seems to be ubiquitous. Nevertheless communication succeeds effortlessly. A number of theorists (e.g. Viebahn, MacFarlane, King and others) have made proposals as to how semanticists should model this phenomenon. Some have proposed new-fangled semantic contents to do justice to the phenomenon. Others have offered pragmatic explanations of communicative success. In this talk, I want to draw attention to a third, more conservative approach that can at least in some cases be employed to explain what is going on. John MacFarlane, University of California at Berkeley: TBA

7 months

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2026

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