[PHILOS-L] *** Call for Abstracts | International Symposium "Manipulation - what it is, why it matters, and how it shapes our lives" | Keynotes by Robert Noggle and Shlomo Cohen | July 23 - 25, LMU Munich***
Michael Klenk
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*** International Symposium: Manipulation — What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Shapes Our Lives ***
We invite submissions for a three-day international symposium on the philosophy of manipulation, hosted by the Centre for Ethics and Philosophy in Practice (CEPP) at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich from July 23 to July 25, 2025.
** Theme **
Manipulation is a pervasive but poorly understood feature of our lives. It influences how we interact online, shop, vote, and even fall in love. From subtle marketing tactics to political messaging, and from nudging interfaces to AI-driven recommendation systems, manipulation seems to be everywhere and may be growing harder to detect. Technological advances such as deepfakes, algorithmic persuasion, and AI personalisation have made the need to understand manipulation more urgent than ever. Yet despite its practical importance, systematic philosophical inquiry into manipulation is still in its early stages.
Philosophical progress has been made, particularly on two foundational questions: (1) What distinguishes manipulation from other forms of influence, such as persuasion or coercion? (2) When, and why, is manipulation morally problematic? Competing answers to these questions are emerging, but no consensus has formed. Meanwhile, philosophical work in ethics, political theory, and the philosophy of technology increasingly engages with manipulation, but often without engaging with these emerging theories. This presents a dual challenge: to determine which theory best accounts for manipulation, and to explore how such theories can inform broader normative debates.
The year 2025 marks a turning point for the international debate, with the publication of the first two English-language monographs on the topic, by Robert Noggle and Shlomo Cohen, respectively. Both monographs offer comprehensive but competing accounts of the nature and normative status of manipulation. Alongside these, a new theory developed by Michael Klenk proposes yet another framework. This symposium takes the occasion to critically examine these three competing accounts and to assess their implications both within the philosophical study of manipulation and for broader debates in ethics, political philosophy, and the ethics of AI.
** Aims **
The symposium seeks to:
(1) Critically evaluate the leading philosophical theories of manipulation
(2) Compare and contrast the views of Noggle, Cohen, and Klenk
(3) Explore connections between manipulation and debates in normative ethics, political philosophy, and the ethics of AI
(4) Foster a growing intellectual community engaged in the philosophical study of manipulation and influence
** Symposium **
Each day will focus on one theory. The featured author will introduce their view, followed by at least three prepared commentaries and extended discussion. The symposium is pre-read: selected chapters will be distributed to participants in advance.
Day 1: Robert Noggle — The Mistake Account
Day 2: Shlomo Cohen — The Deflationary Account
Day 3: Michael Klenk — The Indifference View
** Keynote Speakers **
Robert Noggle (Central Michigan University)
Shlomo Cohen (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev)
** Talks and Commentaries **
Ron Aboodi (LMU)
Marius Baumann (LMU)
Gabriel DeMarco (University of Oxford)
Michael Klenk (LMU / TU Delft)
Vladimir Krstic (United Arab Emirates University)
Silvia Milano (LMU / University of Exeter)
Eric-John Russell (University of Potsdam)
Katharina Sodoma (LMU)
Gyburg Uhlmann (Nuremberg University of Technology)
** Call for Abstracts **
We welcome submissions for 60-minute commentary presentations (30–40 minutes presentation + 20–30 minutes discussion) that engage with one or more of the featured accounts. Selected readings for fully preparing the commentaries will be shared with selected speakers before July 11, 2025.
Possible contributions may include but are not limited to: A critical assessment of a specific theory of manipulation; A comparative analysis of the competing accounts; An exploration of their relevance to normative ethics, political philosophy, or technology ethics; The presentation of own work that originally draws on or challenges the featured theories. We especially encourage cross-disciplinary perspectives and welcome submissions from philosophers of all career stages. Submissions from groups underrepresented in the current lineup of the symposium are particularly welcome.
*Submission details:
Abstracts should be no more than 3 pages (excluding references) and prepared for blind review. Include a separate cover sheet with your name, affiliation, and contact information. The abstract should outline ideas for the commentary and any preference you might have in terms of the theory you’d like to comment on.
Send submissions to Michael Klenk at m.b.o....@tudelft.nl with the subject line: “Manipulation Symposium Submission”
Submission deadline: June 25, 2025
Notification of acceptance: June 30, 2025
** Location **
Centre for Ethics and Philosophy in Practice (CEPP)
Room M210
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich
Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1
80539 Munich, Germany
** Travel and Funding **
Accommodation and travel expenses (2nd class, per German university regulations) will be covered for selected speakers. In addition, coffee and a light lunch on each day of the symposium as well as a conference dinner will be covered.
** Financial Support **
The symposium is generously funded by the Thyssen Foundation and the German Society for Analytic Philosophy and administratively supported by the Munich Centre for Ethics and Philosophy in Practice.
** Organiser and Contact **
Dr. Michael Klenk
Assistant Professor of Philosophy, TU Delft
Humboldt Fellow, LMU Munich
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Michael Klenk
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*** 2nd CFA International Symposium: Manipulation — What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Shapes Our Lives ***
We invite submissions for a three-day international symposium on the philosophy of manipulation, hosted by the Centre for Ethics and Philosophy in Practice (CEPP) at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich from July 23 to July 25, 2025.
We welcome submissions for 60-minute commentary presentations (30–40 minutes presentation + 20–30 minutes discussion) that engage with one or more of the featured accounts of manipulation to be discussed at the symposium. See https://www.zepp.uni-muenchen.de/veranstaltungenlehre/aktuelle-veranstaltungen/symposium-manipulation/cfa/index.html for more information.
We especially encourage submissions offering cross-disciplinary perspectives and welcome philosophers from all career stages. Submissions from individuals from underrepresented groups in philosophy are particularly welcome.
*Submission details
Abstracts should be no more than 3 pages (excluding references), prepared for blind review. Please include a separate cover sheet with your name, affiliation, and contact information. The abstract should outline your proposed approach and indicate any preference you might have for engaging with one of the three theories.
Please send submissions to Michael Klenk at m.b.o....@tudelft.nl with the subject line: “Manipulation Symposium Submission”.
Submission deadline: June 25, 2025
Notification of acceptance: June 30, 2025
** Location **
Centre for Ethics and Philosophy in Practice (CEPP)
Room M210
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich
Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1
80539 Munich, Germany
** Travel and Funding **
Accommodation and travel expenses (2nd class, per German university regulations) will be covered for selected speakers. In addition, coffee and a light lunch on each day of the symposium as well as a conference dinner will be covered.
** Financial Support **
The symposium is generously funded by the Thyssen Foundation and the German Society for Analytic Philosophy and administratively supported by the Munich Centre for Ethics and Philosophy in Practice.
** Organiser and Contact **
Dr. Michael Klenk
Assistant Professor of Philosophy, TU Delft
Humboldt Fellow, LMU Munich
Michael Klenk
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*** CFR International Symposium: Manipulation — What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Shapes Our Lives ***
Centre for Ethics and Philosophy in Practice (CEPP) at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich from July 23 to July 25, 2025.
** Theme **
Manipulation is a pervasive but poorly understood feature of our lives. It influences how we interact online, shop, vote, and even fall in love. From subtle marketing tactics to political messaging, and from nudging interfaces to AI-driven recommendation systems, manipulation seems to be everywhere and may be growing harder to detect. Technological advances such as deepfakes, algorithmic persuasion, and AI personalisation have made the need to understand manipulation more urgent than ever. Yet despite its practical importance, systematic philosophical inquiry into manipulation is still in its early stages.
Philosophical progress has been made, particularly on two foundational questions: (1) What distinguishes manipulation from other forms of influence, such as persuasion or coercion? (2) When, and why, is manipulation morally problematic? Competing answers to these questions are emerging, but no consensus has formed. Meanwhile, philosophical work in ethics, political theory, and the philosophy of technology increasingly engages with manipulation, but often without engaging with these emerging theories. This presents a dual challenge: to determine which theory best accounts for manipulation, and to explore how such theories can inform broader normative debates.
The year 2025 marks a turning point for the international debate, with the publication of the first two English-language monographs on the topic, by Robert Noggle and Shlomo Cohen, respectively. Both monographs offer comprehensive but competing accounts of the nature and normative status of manipulation. Alongside these, a new theory developed by Michael Klenk proposes yet another framework. This symposium takes the occasion to critically examine these three competing accounts and to assess their implications both within the philosophical study of manipulation and for broader debates in ethics, political philosophy, and the ethics of AI.
** Programme **
Day 1, July 23
09:15-09:30 Opening by Michael Klenk (LMU Munich / TU Delft)
09:30-10:45 Keynote by Robert Noggle (Central Michigan University)
10:45-11:15 Break
11:15-12:00 Presentation by Gyburg Uhlmann (University of Technology Nuremberg)
12:00-13:30 Lunch
13:30-14:15 Presentation by Ron Aboodi (LMU Munich)
14:15-14:45 Break
14:45-15:30 Presentation by Silvia Milano (LMU Munich / Exeter University)
19:00-21:30 Symposium dinner (location tba)
Day 2, July 24
09:30-10:45 Keynote by Shlomo Cohen (Ben Gurion University Negev)
10:45-11:15 Break
11:15-12:00 Presentation by Eric-John Russell (Potsdam University)
12:00-13:30 Lunch
13:30-14:15 Presentation by Vladimir Krstic (United Arab Emirates University)
14:15-14:45 Break
14:45-15:30 Presentation by Sandy Berkovski (Bilkent University)
Day 3, July 25
09:30-10:45 Presentation by Michael Klenk (LMU Munich / TU Delft)
10:45-11:15 Break
11:15-12:00 Presentation by Gabriel DeMarco (Oxford University)
12:00-13:30 Lunch
13:30-14:15 Presentation by Katharina Sodoma (LMU Munich)
14:15-14:45 Break
14:45-15:30 Presentation by James Edwards (Manchester University)
** Call for Registrations **
Attendance is free, but registration is required, and space is limited. Please register on the symposium website: https://eveeno.com/symposium-manipulation
** Location **
Centre for Ethics and Philosophy in Practice (CEPP)
Room M210
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich
Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1
80539 Munich, Germany
** Financial Support **
The symposium is generously funded by the Thyssen Foundation and the German Society for Analytic Philosophy and administratively supported by the Munich Centre for Ethics and Philosophy in Practice.
** Organiser and Contact **
Dr. Michael Klenk
Assistant Professor of Philosophy, TU Delft
Humboldt Fellow, LMU Munich