Projects
Research in Theoretical Philosophy
The starting point of many of our research and teaching activities are philosophical questions that arise from or touch upon the content of scientific disciplines. Accordingly, the individual team members have not only philosophical but also specific scientific qualifications. The various interdisciplinary projects range from inquiries regarding time and space travel to inquiries about music and data science. Projects do not only reflect scientific concepts and methods but also aspects of wider (social and anthropological) relevance.
Philosophy of Time
Time appears in different forms: for instance as physical time, as perceived time, as social-intersubjective time, and as historical time. Therefore, the concept of time has been the subject of constant and seminal discussions in various philosophical sub-disciplines such as metaphysics, philosophy of science, philosophy of mind, ethics, and the historiography of philosophy. Comparatively little attention is paid to the connections and commonalities of these discussions. It is the aim of this project to fill part of this gap. Learn more.
Two projects are concerned with the epistemology of time and, closely related, space. In the context of quantum mechanics, the conditions under which quantum systems can generate something like an objective time scale that is in principle accessible to an observer are investigated. With regard to our currently best spacetime theory --- general relativity --- it is investigated under which conditions and to what degree the empirical content of the theory as well as that of related spacetime theories can be determined by means of clocks (chronometry). Learn more.
For humans, time is something embodied, but how it is actually perceived and experienced is also related to cultural conditions. As time also takes on culturally specific forms, it becomes something local, plural and historical. The aim of the project is to explore the multiple forms of 'human time' (temporalities) within the city of Bremen between 1400 and 1600. The main thesis is that Bremen, and pre-modern cities in general, can be usefully conceptualized for this purpose as 'local time zones'. Within those, time took on locally specific forms for people and was thus experienced and perceived in unical ways. Learn more.
Philosophy of the Individual Sciences
We are interested in philosophical questions concerning the foundations of musicology and also those in the border area between music, musical perception and hearing. There are collaborations with other academic disciplines (especially natural sciences; see essay "Paradoxien beim Hören") and also with artists (see the concert on "hearing time"/"ZeitHören"). Learn more.
How do technology, digital methods and especially space travel change our world and our experiences? What can we learn in space that we couldn't learn "at home" on Earth? Can we address climate change from space, for example? And what new opportunities will arise for disciplines as diverse as pharmacy and architecture if digital methods can be used to redesign both molecules and buildings? And most importantly, what does this mean for our own experiential processes? -- These and similar questions are addressed by our various subprojects.
The project analyses and defends the importance of conceptual-historical knowledge in the individual sciences. This knowledge is of both intrinsic and instrumental value, because it allows one to better understand and, if necessary, actively influence the inner dynamics of what one does as a scientist. Learn more.
Critical Thinking
"Critical thinking in the sciences" - that sounds like a tautology! Science and research are always (at least supposedly) concerned with critical reflection; that is, with examining and questioning things rather than simply taking them at face value. Or is that perhaps only an ideal? In daily practice it may indeed look different. Numerous constraints, such as economic concerns, financial and time constraints, and peer pressure often make it difficult to critically examine the methods used, the concepts we presuppose and the conclusions drawn. Learn more.
The current developments in the field of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning immediately raise philosophical questions, as does the general handling of ever increasing amounts of data. Pressing epistemological questions concern, for instance, the notion and role of epistemic “transparency” and of “creativity” in computer-based research. Learn more.
Global Philosophy
In Western universities, philosophy is often taught by studying mostly Western authors. This is often criticized, and rightly so: first, this approach can reinforce the stereotype of a philosophy as a Western-looking person, which in turn may lead to a feeling of non-belonging among students with different backgrounds. Second, not including other traditions also means missing out on fruitful and interesting perspectives that can enrich both teaching and research. Learn more.
As one approaches the history of African philosophy, two trends emerge: First, by non-Africans who "unilaterally claim the right to speak on behalf of Africans and define the meaning of experience and truth for them." Second, Africans are resisting and challenging their self-appointed biographers. African philosophy emerged from these two events (Masolo, 1994). The conditions under which African philosophy emerged can be examined as a site of contradictions, and the philosophical work of African philosophers can be seen as an attempt to break free from these contradictions. I would like to examine the forms of knowledge that emerged from this narrowly defined intellectual horizon and how the associated contradictions shaped African philosophy. Learn more.
Social Epistemology
Exchanging information is an integral part of our society and of what connects us. In a normal situation, we are willing to trust the information we receive from others. In doing so, we rely on the assumption that other people feel obligated to comply with certain standards: we expect each others not to lie or not to present guesses and hunches as if they were established facts. Learn more.
Our social identities are accompanied by both positive and negative prejudices, including ideas about what we are capable of knowing. However, ascriptions of knowledge and ignorance to social groups are not always based on prejudice, but can also be theoretically grounded, such as by the standpoint theorists. This project researches the impacts of such ignorance ascriptions. Learn More.