Peer-reviews conducted for IACS6

I have recently conducted peer-review of two proposed panels (with individual abstracts) for the Sixth Conference of the International Association for Cognitive Semiotics (IACS6), which is to take place in Rome, Italy, June 4-6th 2026, as a member of the conference´s scientific committee.

Appointed co-supervisor of Federico Comollo

I have been appointed as co-supervisor of Federico Comollo, who is a PhD Candidate in Italy´s national PhD Programme in Sustainable Development and Climate Change, at IUSS Pavia / Luiss Guido Carli (Italy). His research project is entitled “The Ethics and Politics of Plant Conservation in the Anthropocene”, and his main supervisor is Gianfranco Pellegrino. Earlier this year I hosted Federico´s 2 month long exchange to the University of Stavanger.

2 Inequalities Research applications reviewed for Fondazione Cariplo

I have recently reviewed 2 research project applications for Fondazione Cariplo (Italy) in relation to their Inequalities Research 2024 call.

Second lecture given in Trento - Erasmus exchange lectures with Anthropocene theme

Today I gave the lecture “The perspective of the Anthropocene and what it says about humans´ place in nature” at University of Trento´s Department of humanities. Some 10 people attended. The lecture was given related to Carlo Brentari´s Bachelor-level course in philosophical anthropology, and was also open to the public.

8 peer-reviews done for Fondazione Cariplo

I have just finished peer-review of 8 applications for Fondazione Cariplo´s Young researchers scheme (focused on granting of post.doc. projects). The foundation is based in Milan, Italy.

Two forthcoming lectures in Trento, Italy May9th and 10th

As part of my upcoming Erasmus exchange to Italy and Slovenia I will be giving two lectures at University of Trento, in Trento. 

On Thursday May 9th at 4-6 p.m., I will give a lecture for ph.d. students titled ”Semiotic agency and the Anthropocene”.

On Friday May 10th (exact time not known) I will give a lecture for BA students on the perspective of the Anthropocene and what it says about humans´ place in nature, in a philosophical anthropology course.

Page reference for "Proto-language in wolves" abstract

Our paper "Proto-language in wolves" appears on pp. 42-43 on the printed abstract book of the 3rd International conference in code biology.

"Proto-Language in wolves" paper presented in Urbino at Codebiology 3

I have just presented my paper ”Proto-language in wolves” at the 3rd International Conference in Code Biology (Urbino, Italy, May 25-27th 2016). Some 20-25 people were present.

Program and abstract book for Code Biology 3 now online

Program and abstract book for the Third International Conference in Code Biology (Urbino, Italy 24-28 May, 2016) are now online.

My abstract with Paul Thibault, "Proto-language in wolves", is to be found on p. 27 in the abstract book.

Family trip to Italy conference

I have recently arranged my trip for the Third International Conference in Code Biology (Urbino, Italy 24-28 May, 2016). My whole family will accompany me (wife + 3 children). This will be our twins´ first trip abroad.

"Proto-language in wolves" accepted for presentation in Urbino

Today I was notified that the paper "Proto-language in wolves", which presents joint work with Paul Thibault, with the assistance of Laura Kiiroja, has been accepted for presentation at the Third International Conference in Code Biology (Urbino, Italy 24-28 May, 2016). 

Abstract "Proto-language in wolves" submitted to Code Biology 3 (Urbino)

I have today submitted the abstract "Proto-language in wolves" (see previous posts), which presents joint work with Paul Thibault, with the assistance of Laura Kiiroja, for the Third International Conference in Code Biology (Urbino 24-28 May, 2016). 

See also:

"Proto-language in wolves" talk cancelled

3rd code biology conference to be held in Urbino, Italy, May 2016

The 3rd International Conference in Code Biology will take place in Urbino, Italy, May 24-28th 2016, and will be convened by Almo Farina.

Paper on Uexküll translation presented in Castiglioncello

Saturday June 8th I presented my paper (co-written with Jonathan Beever) “Uexküll in Translation: “Darwin and the English Morality”” at the 13th gathering in biosemiotics in Castiglioncello, Italy. 30 people or so where present on the last day of the conference. I attended the whole conference (June 5-8).

Abstract for 13th Gathering in Biosemiotics: "Uexküll in translation: "Darwin and the English Morality""

A few days ago I was notified that the Advisory Board of the International Society for Biosemiotic Studies has accepted the abstract "Uexküll in translation: "Darwin and the English Morality"" for an oral presentation at this summer's Gathering in Biosemiotics (Castiglioncello, Italy, June 4-8). Jonathan Beever and myself are the authors or the paper, which will be presented by me.

***

UEXKÜLL IN TRANSLATION: ”DARWIN AND THE ENGLISH MORALITY”

Tønnessen, Morten¹ and Beever, Jonathan² (to be presented by Morten Tønnessen)

¹ Department of Health Studies, University of Stavanger (Norway)

² Department of Philosophy and Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University (USA)

This presentation will include excerpts from “Darwin and the English Morality”, an English translation of an essay written by Jakob von Uexküll and published in its original form as “Darwin und die englische Moral“ in 1917 (Deutsche Rundschau 173: 215-242). The English translation, which has been conducted by Morten Tønnessen supported by English language editing by Jonathan Beever, is forthcoming in Biosemiotics along with a framing essay entitled ““Darwin und die englische Moral”: The Moral Consequences of Uexküll’s Umwelt Theory”, co-authored by Jonathan Beever and Morten Tønnessen.

Uexküll’s essay concerns the relation between German and English morality, framed by an application of his biological theory to the human cultural context. Uexküll’s 1917 critique of what he calls the “English morality”, written during World War I, points the contemporary reader toward important implications of the translation of descriptive scientific models to normative ethical theories. A key figure motivating biosemiotics, Uexküll presents here a darker side: one where his Umwelt theory seems to motivate a bio-cultural hierarchy of value and worth, where some human beings are worth more than others precisely because of the constraints of their Umwelten. The first English translation of this essay gives scholars access to Uexküll’s lines of thought, historical context, and normative interpretations. It is particularly pertinent for contemporary attempts to develop a biosemiotic ethics based, among other things, on the Umwelt theory.

Uexküll’s critique of Darwin refers to the latter’s treatment of the origin of morality in The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex (1871). “The source of morality”, writes Uexküll, “is, according to Darwin, precisely this feeling of sympathy, in its relation to the susceptibility for praise and blame, which initially extends only to members of one’s own tribe, then in time, after the merger of different tribes to a people, to all fellow countrymen.” He cites Darwin’s words: “Sympathy beyond the confines of man, that is, humanity to the lower animals, seems to be one of the latest moral acquisitions”. In a central passage, Uexküll then observes:

It is not, as Darwin holds, an artificial barrier that is an impediment to the extension of moral consideration to all peoples and to the lower animals. Rather, the ethics that is founded on praise and blame is itself the barrier for the extension to fellow creatures whose praise and criticism one neither hears nor takes any note of.

CFP: Gatherings in Biosemiotics 13 (Castiglioncelli - Livorno, Italy, June 4-8 2013)

Gatherings in Biosemiotics 13

Castiglioncello (Livorno), Italy, 4-8 June 2013

The Thirteenth Annual Gathering in Biosemiotics will be held in Castiglioncello (Italy) from June 4th to June 8th 2013, under the auspices of the Comune di Rosignano Marittimo and the University of Pisa in collaboration with the International Society of Biosemiotic Studies. The aim of the gathering is to provide scholars and researchers of various academic disciplines with a common platform to discuss the roles played by signs and communication in life processes.

The Scientific Advisory Committee of the 13th Gathering in Biosemiotics invites scholars and researchers from all over the world to submit their abstracts of presentations which are primarily centred on the roles and the significance of signs in life processes.

Abstracts should be 300-600 words, typed using a standard word processing format (using Times New Roman 12 point font, and setting the page size for A4). Abstracts should be submitted as single page files to the following address: abstract@biosemiotics2013.org to be received by no later than March 15th 2013. Please name the abstract file with the author's (your) surname in capital letters, for instance SEBEOK.doc. Please see http://www.biosemiotics2013.org/cfp for further details.

For early registration and any additional information, please contact info@biosemiotics2013.org.