Research

Research domains

Logic, epistemology and philosophy of science

We have a long tradition of high quality research in logic, epistemology and philosophy of science. For epistemology and philosophy of science, there is theoretical research on classical topics from these fields (models and theories, confirmation, causality, revolutions and scientific progress, rationality, pseudoscience, etc.).

Applied research focuses on specific problems of science philosophy in the various scientific disciplines (biology, biomedical sciences, history, psychology, social sciences, mathematics).

Research in logic also follows this double track. On the one hand, there is the development of formal logical systems and, on the other, their application to scientific and everyday forms of reasoning.

Theoretical and practical ethics and philosophical anthropology

In the fields of theoretical and practical ethics and philosophical anthropology, we have long been engaged in highly developed scientific research. Here, too, the two tracks can be found.

We carry out research in various fields of bioethics, sexual and relationship ethics and economic and social ethics.

On the theoretical level, there is research into moral epistemology, into moral emotions, into the origin of moral judgements and into the acceptance of evolutionary theory.

History of Philosophy

Over the past 10 years, a strong research tradition has developed around the history of philosophy. Our researchers study ancient and medieval philosophy as well as early modern philosophy and that of the 19th and 20th centuries. The relevance of the insights of the past for contemporary philosophical debates is central.

Research groups

• Bioethics Institute Ghent (BIG)
• Centrum voor Ethiek en Waardeonderzoek (CEVI)
• Centrum voor Geschiedenis van de Filosofie en Continentale Filosofie (HICO)
• Centre for Logic and Philosophy of Science (CLPS)
• Centrum voor de Studie van Christelijke Tradities (CSCT)
• Sarton Centrum voor Wetenschapsgeschiedenis
• The Moral Brain

Research projects

An overview of all current and completed projects of the department can be found on the faculty's research portal.