[hopos-g] Reminder: EPSA Epistemic Diversity Seminar, 17 June, 15:00-16:00 (CEST)
Bobby Vos
Dear all,
The second instalment of the 'Epistemic Diversity in European Philosophy of Science' seminar (2nd edition) will take place on 17 June 2026, 15:00-16:00 (CEST) on Zoom. You will be able to attend through the following link: https://ucph-ku.zoom.us/j/66457363449
This instalment of the seminar will feature:
15:00 - 15:30
Ties van Gemert (Tilburg University), From Idonéisme to Dialectica: Ferdinand Gonseth’s Program for European Philosophy of Science
15:30 - 16:00
Q&A
Short abstract
Mostly forgotten today, the Swiss philosopher, Ferdinand Gonseth (1890-1975), was in the 1950s one of the most influential figures in European philosophy of science. Through the conference series Entretiens de Zurich (EdZ), the journal Dialectica, and his presidency of the International Union of Philosophy of Science (IUPS), he worked relentlessly to promote a program called idonéisme (from the Latin idoneus, meaning “efficacious”). Our paper will trace the rise and fall of Gonseth’s program. First, we trace Gonseth’s shift in the 1920s from mathematics to philosophy of science, focusing on the role played by the concept of efficacy in his work. Next, we turn to the 1930s, when Gonseth began to promote idonéisme at the International Congresses for the Unity of Science (ICUS) and his EdZ. We will analyze idonéisme through its opposition to logical empiricism, particularly via Gonseth’s correspondence with Otto Neurath and his debates with Philipp Frank. Last, we turn to the post-war period, during which Gonseth founded Dialectica and became the president of the IUPS, narrating his intellectual and institutional clash with Alfred Tarski and his eventual defeat. In conclusion, we will reflect on the place and role of Gonseth’s idonéisme in our understanding of twentieth-century European philosophy of science.
The full abstract of the presentation can be found here.About the seminar series
A central aim of this seminar series is to showcase historical figures, institutes, schools of thought, or themes that have shaped the discipline of philosophy of science in different regions of Europe across time. In focusing on these various different ‘European philosophies of science’, EPSA strives to contribute to an increased awareness of intellectual traditions that have been overlooked or forgotten by the international philosophy-of-science community. We are particularly interested in rediscovering traditions rooted in languages and cultures other than English, although we will be using English as a working language.
To find out more about the seminar and see all of this year’s instalments, please click on this link.
Kind regards,
Sara Green & Bobby Vos (organizing committee)
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