Centre for Ethics as Study in Human Value invites graduates in philosophy and neighbouring disciplines to apply for an internationally open PhD scholarship.
Alongside conducting research in ethics and political philosophy, a key part of the Centre’s aim is to foster the development of the next generation of academics. To its PhD students, it offers an inspiring environment of a friendly community of researchers and doctoral students, a regular PhD seminar, and the opportunity to engage in the philosophical life of the Centre, including participation in conferences, workshops and seminars. The students can use a well-furnished PhD room and a common room, as well as the Centre‘s library and study. Full-time PhD students receive a monthly stipend and have ample funding opportunities for travel.
Supported by a major multi-year EU-funded grant, the Centre for Ethics brings together a group of international researchers in ethics and political philosophy to work on issues surrounding the distinctive value of human life. Alongside the study of general ethical and political problems, the Centre favours a ground-up approach to timely topics, such as attitudes towards marginalised groups and topics including populism, nationalism, religious conflict, and climate change. The Centre has working links with partner institutions including King’s College London, University of Melbourne, University of Uppsala, Åbo Akademi and University of Genoa. (More information here: https://centreforethics.upce.cz/en)
Examples of possible research projects:
The value of humanity, love and hatred, sources of disregarded human value
Racism, sexism, xenophobia, social exclusion, poverty, affliction
Political emotions; postfactism, populism and demagoguery
Patriotism, nationalism and liberal universalism
Disagreement, difference and (in)tolerance in political discourse
Good and evil, remorse, punishment, forgiveness
Topics in moral psychology and theory of action
Ethical and political questions related to the climate crisis; animal ethics
Ethics and technology, AI, new media
Morality in philosophy and art, questions of philosophical method
Research projects of our current PhD students:
Iris Murdoch’s Distinction between Philosophy and Literature
The Ethics of Public Space
Rethinking Moral Creativity: The Transformation of Moral Standards in the Everyday
The Challenge Creative Computers Present to the Good Life
The Role of Shame and Guilt in the Moral Development of Children
Otherwise than Anthropocentrism: Levinas Face-to-Face with the Animal
The Moral Power of Literature
Applicants are encouraged to consult a prospective supervisor in our Centre in advance. Possible supervisors include: Christopher Cordner, Niklas Forsberg, Nora Hämäläinen, Hugo Strandberg, Joseph Wiinikka-Lydon. (The research team of the Centre: https://centreforethics.upce.cz/en/team)
The standard length of study is 4 years in the full-time study mode. Full-time, resident students admitted to the PhD programme receive a monthly stipend (currently 11,250 CZK) to defray living expenses.
The working language of the PhD programme and of the Centre is English and applicants should have a good grasp of academic English. No knowledge of Czech is required.
The University of Pardubice is located within walking distance from the historical centre of Pardubice, a charming city in the heart of Europe. Pardubice is well connected by train to several major European cities, including Prague (1 hour) and Vienna (3 hours).
Application deadline: May 31st, 2020*
Interviews: mid June 2020*
Decision: by the end of June 2020*
Starting date: October 1st, 2020*
(*These deadlines may change in consequence of the current Corona virus situation. Please follow the Centre website or e-mail for updates.)
Information about admission requirements and procedure
https://centreforethics.upce.cz/en/how-apply
Contact for inquiries: Doc. Niklas Forsberg (niklas.forsberg@upce.cz<mailto:niklas.forsberg@upce.cz>), Dr. Ondřej Beran (ondrej.beran@upce.cz<mailto:ondrej.beran@upce.cz>).
Antropologická studia
Fakulta humanitních studií
Univerzita Karlova
Pátkova 2137/5
182 00 Praha 8 - Libeň
Doc. PhDr. Zuzana Jurková, Ph.D. garantka studijního programu
kancelář: 2.10
e-mail:
Mgr. et Mgr. Karolína Jindráková
tajemnice studijního programu
kancelář: 2.10
e-mail:
úřední hodiny: středa: 13 – 15, čtvrtek: 9 – 11
nebo po předchozí dohodě e-mailem