On September 3-5, 2023, the University of Oxford will host the conference “Scepticism and Naturalism: Hume, Wittgenstein, Strawson.” The aim of the conference is to advance our understanding of naturalism in the work of Hume, Wittgenstein, and P. F. Strawson, especially in these philosophers’ responses to skepticism. While there is no lack of interest in Strawson’s response to free will skepticism in “Freedom and Resentment,” there have been relatively few discussions of the broad vision which lies behind this response. This vision, which also guides Strawson’s treatments of perception and induction, focuses on general features of human nature that make skepticism of various kinds impossible to believe. Similarly, there has been insufficient inquiry into Strawson’s idea that Hume and Wittgenstein share his anti-skeptical naturalism.
This international conference will bring together established and early career philosophers to explore these issues across two-and-a-half days. It is the closing conference of the five-year Roots of Responsibility ERC project, directed by Professor John Hyman.
Registration and further information are available here. Travel bursaries are available for students and others whose financial circumstances would prevent them from attending the conference.
