Department of Analytic Philosophy

Characteristics

The Department of Analytic Philosophy focuses on the logical, epistemological, semantical, and metaphysical analysis of fiction on one side, on hyperintesionality and the logic of responsibility, on the other. Therefore, the department’s research includes both theoretical research in analytic philosophy as well as its practical applicability. We offer the following Ph.D. topics: Problem of Grasping of Hyperintensional Language Phenomena; Formal Analysis of Impossible Objects; Formal Analysis of Fictional Discourse; and Transparent Intensional Logic: Theoretical Development and Application.

Head of the Department

Mgr. Miloš Kosterec, PhD. milos.kosterec@savba.sk

Researchers

JUDr. Zoltán Gyurász, PhD. zoltan.gyurasz@savba.sk
Matteo Pascucci, PhD. filomapa@savba.sk
Mgr. Martin Vacek, PhD. martin.vacek@savba.sk
PhDr. Daniela Vacek, PhD. daniela.vacek@savba.sk
Mgr. Zuzana Zelinová, PhD. zuzana.zelinova@savba.sk

PhD Students

MA Dimitrios Galanis dimitrios.galanis@savba.sk

PhD study topics for the academic year 2025/2026

Tutor: Mgr. Miloš Kosterec, PhD.

Moral responsibility

Study program: 2.1.2. systematic philosophy * Study form: full-time * Faculty: Faculty of Arts, Comenius University in Bratislava
Annotation:
Debates around Moral Responsibility belong among the most widespread and relevant in philosophy. The aim is to present novel arguments within the dichotomies in existing debates about moral responsibility and/or to present arguments for new ways of focusing on relevant problems. The use of analytic methods should lead to a model of arguments within a formal system. The special focus of the research should be at the influence of modern technologies (AI etc.).

Tutor: Matteo Pascucci, PhD.

Modal logics and contextual reasoning

Study program: 2.1.2. systematic philosophy * Study form: full-time/external * Faculty: Faculty of Arts, Comenius University in Bratislava
Annotation:
In the thesis the student will focus on the philosophical and mathematical investigations into non-classical logics that can be used to analyze the syntactic and semantic behavior of modal notions in specific contexts, such as deontic reasoning, temporal reasoning, epistemic reasoning and doxastic reasoning.

Normative reasoning and applications

Study program: 2.1.2. systematic philosophy * Study form: full time/external * Faculty: Faculty of Arts, Comenius University in Bratislava
Annotation:
This research topic concerns the analysis of fundamental notions involved in everyday problems of normative reasoning, including ethical rules, moral values, deterministic vs. non-deterministic systems and theories of action. Moreover, it concerns the development of logical and computational tools for assisted reasoning in the normative domain, based on a formal representation of those notions.

Tutor: PhDr. Daniela Vacek, PhD.

Control and responsibility in the context of intelligent technologies

Study program: 2.1.2. systematic philosophy * Study form: full-time/external * Faculty: Faculty of Arts, Comenius University in Bratislava
Annotation:
The control over intelligent technologies is a complex phenomenon that leads to several difficult questions, challenges, and problems: are we destined to lose the control over intelligent technologies? Who should have control, and which form of control they should have? Which form of control is morally acceptable? How does the problem of responsibility relate to problems of control in the context of intelligent technologies? Does it make sense to speak of responsible control over intelligent technologies? The thesis will provide answers to these questions.

Artificial intelligence and gaps in positive responsibility

Study program: 2.1.2. systematic philosophy * Study form: full-time/external * Faculty: Faculty of Arts, Comenius University in Bratislava
Annotation:
According to some researchers, intelligent technologies lead to gaps in responsibility, others deny it. The research in this area has been focused primarily on responsibility for negative impact of artificial intelligence. The thesis will explore the terrain of responsibility for positive impact of artificial intelligence. It will also formulate solutions to any responsibility gaps that might appear in this area.

Tutor: Mgr. Martin Vacek, PhD.

Impossible worlds

Study program: 2.1.2. systematic philosophy * Study form: full-time * Faculty: Faculty of Arts, Comenius University in Bratislava
Annotation:
This PhD project investigates impossibility, specifically the relationship between the nature question — what impossibility is? — and the extent question — what impossibility there is? Impossible worlds have proven to be a useful apparatus in this regard. Following in the footsteps of their possible ancestors, impossible worlds provide a scope of applications that address the aforementioned questions. The project delves into these applications.

Worldly and Non-Worldly Hyperintensionality

Study program: 2.1.2. systematic philosophy * Study form: full-time * Faculty: Faculty of Arts, Comenius University in Bratislava
Annotation:
Many philosophical problems are framed in terms of hyperintensional distinctions. Although these distinctions were initially introduced in a representational manner, various accounts treating hyperintensionality as a non-representational phenomenon have been developed. This PhD project builds on these accounts and will propose a novel worldly account of hyperintensionality.

Upcoming events

Navigating the Anthropocene: New Frontiers in Environmental and Political Philosophy
24.09.2025 to 25.09.2025

Filozofia - current issue

Keymeulen, K. Puppeteers and Ventriloquists: The Pippin-Žižek-Johnston Debate and What It Means to Be a Hegelian Today
Abstract: This paper investigates the polemics between Hegel scholar Robert Pippin and representatives of the “Ljubljana School,” Slavoj Žižek and Adrian Johnston. Our issue is not to reduce...
Bizoň, M. Fundamentals of the Philosophy of Dialogue: On the Slovak Translation of Buber's Book "I and Thou"
Abstract: The year 2023 marked the centenary of the first publication of Buber’s philosophical-poetic classic I and Thou, in which he introduced the foundations of his philosophy of dialogue....
Zeleňák, E. On Realist Proposals in Contemporary Philosophy of History
Abstract: In recent years, several realist interpretations of historical work have been presented within the philosophy of history. In this paper, I briefly examine three of them, namely I...
Linka, V. Should We Share Misfortune with Our Friends? Pleasure and Pain in the Context of Aristotle’s Theory of Friendship
Abstract: This paper explores Aristotle’s claim that, while we should be ready to assist our friends in their misfortunes, we should not share our pain with them and instead share only good...
Singer, P. Coping with Global Change: The Need for New Values
Abstract: The following text was presented to the 1995 conference of the International Council of Philosophical Inquiry with Children and appears here for the first time in a Slovak...
Waszek, N. Hegelianism, Theology and Politics in Karl Rosenkranz: Some Historical Remarks on a Still Relevant Question
Abstract: Karl Rosenkranz (1805 – 1879) was a towering figure of German university life from the 1830s to the 1870s, but he is now mainly remembered for his Aesthetics of Ugliness (1853,...
Rodríguez, P.U. Kierkegaard and Stirner: A Comparison on the Fundamental Philosophical Question
Abstract: The relationship between Kierkegaard and Stirner has been little studied. Although they didn’t directly influence each other, they shared a similar cultural milieu, and both rejected...
Rodríguez, P. Kierkegaard and Stirner: A Comparison on the Fundamental Philosophical Question
Abstract: The relationship between Kierkegaard and Stirner has been little studied. Although they didn’t directly influence each other, they shared a similar cultural milieu, and both rejected...
Peña Arroyave, A. The Aesthete as a Failed Religious Man: Notes on the Aesthetic Conception of Existence in Either/Or, Part I by Søren Kierkegaard
Abstract: The article takes as a starting point Sergio Givone’s assertion that the aesthete is a religious man who has failed. Following this hypothesis, we see that, faced with the experience...
Dacuy, M. The Head of State as Representative of Mankind in Ludwig Feuerbach’s Political Conception
Abstract: In the philosophy of Ludwig Feuerbach (1804 – 1872) religion occupies a central place, for it is on the religious plane, and by means of the genetic-critical method, that Feuerbach...
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Filozofia - previous issue

Cartwright, N. Reliability Trumps Truth
Abstract: This paper argues that reliability is a better desideratum for scientific claims than is truth as soon as we focus on ‘helping to change the world (for the better)’ as a central aim...
Cernea, M.V. Causalism versus Propensionism in the Philosophy of Biology: A Case of Philosophical Underdetermination?
Abstract: This paper has two objectives: (1) to define philosophical underdetermination in contrast with the usual empirical underdetermination that has been invoked by so many philosophers of...
Pichová, D. Fontenelle’s Éloges des académiciens: Creating the Scientific Persona
Abstract: In his Éloges des académiciens, French philosopher Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle (1657 – 1757) used various strategies to build the credibility of scientists. In recent...
Thümmel, J. The Return to the Original Unity as a Historical Perspective in H. von Kleist
Abstract: Around 1800, German philosophy and literature frequently discussed the topic of history. This study examines, from a philosophical perspective, the structure of history as presented...
Koubová, A. Which Resilience? Thinking Democratic Subjectivity in the Polycrisis
Abstract: In the context of the current polycrisis, Andreas Reckwitz suggests that instead of emphasizing progress, Western liberal democracies should cultivate resilience. The question is:...
Lánský, O. Resilience as a Methodological Challenge for Axel Honneth’s Critical Theory
Abstract: The objective of the study is to examine the methodological challenges that the concept of resilience presents to Axel Honneth’s social theory as a representative of contemporary...
Eiríksdóttir, L. - Pallas, J. Practicing Uncertainty as Resilience
Abstract: Drawing on the pandemic experiences of Swedish welfare professionals and the philosophies of Hannah Arendt, Simone Weil, Jonna Bornemark, and Isabelle Stengers, this paper argues for...
Unger, M. - Koubová, A. The Emerging Science of Multisystemic Resilience: Trade-offs and Transformations in Contexts of Adversity
Abstract: This paper explores the concept of resilience as much more than a personal capacity to overcome adversity. Using reflections from ontology, ethics and epistemology, this paper offers...
Raška, Š. Between Dewey, Social Movements and Critical Philosophy
Abstract: This review study deals with the 2021 book by the Spanish philosopher Justo Serrano Zamora Democratization and Struggles against Injustice: A Pragmatist Approach to the Epistemic...
Dupkala, R. “Legacy of Ideas” as a Historical-Philosophical Issue (In Honor of the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of the Slovak Philosopher Ján Bodnár)
Abstract: This article analyzes and interprets the Slovak philosopher Ján Bodnár’s contributions to the research regarding the history of both global and Slovak philosophy. Bodnár’s published...
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Contact

Institute of Philosophy SAS, v.v.i.
Klemensova 19
811 09 Bratislava 1
Slovak Republic
Tel.: +4212 5292 1215
E-mail: sekretariat.fiu@savba.sk
Home page

Address for correspondence:

Filozofický ústav SAV, v. v. i.
P. O. Box 3364
813 64 Bratislava
Slovak Republic

Journal Filozofia

Institute of Philosophy SAS, v.v.i.
Filozofia Editorial Office
Klemensova 19
811 09 Bratislava 1
Slovak Republic
Tel.: +4212 5292 1215
E-mail: redakcia.filozofia@savba.sk
Home page

Address for correspondence:

Filozofický ústav SAV, v. v. i.
Filozofia Editorial Office
P. O. Box 3364
813 64 Bratislava
Slovak Republic

Journal Organon F

Institute of Philosophy SAS, v.v.i.
Organon F Editorial Office
Klemensova 19
811 09 Bratislava 1
Slovak Republic
Tel.: +4212 5292 1215
E-mail: organonf@gmail.com
Home page

Address for correspondence:

Filozofický ústav SAV, v. v. i.
Organon F Editorial Office
P. O. Box 3364
813 64 Bratislava
Slovak Republic

Links

Slovak Academy of Sciences
Slovak Philosophical Association
Department of Philosophy and History of Philosophy, Comenius University
Institute of Philosophy, Prague
FISP