UTOPISM. *** In the long run, nothing else is realistic. *** Welcome to the English language blog of Morten Tønnessen, Professor of philosophy at University of Stavanger's Department of Social Studies.
Recordings of the Norwegian Animal Ethics Conference 2025 (Dyreetikkonferansen 2025) are available on the YouTube channel of The Norwegian Veterinary Institute. The topic was "Når dyr dør. Perspektiver på livets slutt" (When animals die. Perspectives on the end of life). Note that this full-day event was all held in Norwegian.
See also:
Panel discussion chaired at Animal Ethics Conference 2025 on animals´ death
Today, on the fourth and final day of the philosophy and science festival "Wonderful World - den nordiske festivalen for filosofi og vitenskap" (Stavanger, Norway May 28-31st), I took part in my fourth event this time around, «Kan Norge bli et økosentrisk demokrati?» (Can Norway become an ecocentric democracy?). I was part of a discussion panel that also included Andrew P. Kroglund, who recently published abook on "Ecotopia", and fellow philosopher Hedda Hassel Mørch. The event was chaired by journalist Ingvild Paulsen, and attended by about 70 people.
Over these four days, I have reached a total audience of about 335 people. Moreover, I have attended about 3-4 events each day.
Today I have taken part in the panel discussion "Kan norsk landbruk tilby et liv verdt å leve?" during Arendalsuka, organised by MatPrat, Opplysningskontoret for brød og korn and Melk.no. Ruth Astrid Sæter chaired the event, which was attended by maybe 50 people in-person, at Barrique øl- og vinstue, and streamed live. I represented Council for animal ethics, and University of Stavanger.
I have been scheduled to introduce and take part in the panel discussion "Har dyr fri vilje - med hvilke rettigheter?", along with Norun Haugen and Martin Lee Mueller, on June 3rd, as part of the philosophy and science festival "Wonderful world", which is held in Stavanger, Norway June 1st to 4th.
