Kirchberg am Wechsel, Austria, August 9-15, 2026
50 Years International Wittgenstein Symposium
Scientific Organisers: Christian Kanzian (Innsbruck), Volker Munz (Klagenfurt), Joseph Wang-Kathrein (Innsbruck), Anja Weiberg (Vienna)
50 years have passed since the First International Wittgenstein Symposium – at that time it was called “Wittgenstein-Tage” – took place at “Hotel Post” in Kirchberg am Wechsel in Lower Austria. From April 24 to 26 1976, Elisabeth Leinfellner, Werner Leinfellner, Rudolf Haller, Paul Weingartner, and Adolf Hübner gave presentations on Wittgenstein. Their topics ranged from biographical remarks on Wittgenstein to philosophy of language, logic, and philosophy of mathematics. Still today, 50 years later, the impact of Ludwig Wittgenstein across various disciplines and beyond can hardly be overstated. Wittgenstein’s life and philosophy not only form the basis of the work of countless philosophers; but they also influenced scholars in other scientific disciplines and inspired artists to create new works.
Each year, the International Wittgenstein Symposium in Kirchberg am Wechsel (Austria) is dedicated to a different subject, bringing Wittgenstein and Wittgensteinian philosophy into dialogue with other areas of philosophical inquiry. The 2026 Symposium, however, is to be devoted to Ludwig Wittgenstein and his work in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the IWS. We welcome contributions to any of the following sections:
- Ludwig Wittgenstein: Life – Work – Editions
- Ludwig Wittgenstein: Philosophy of Language, Philosophy of Science, Epistemology
- Ludwig Wittgenstein: Logic and Philosophy of Mathematics
- Ludwig Wittgenstein: Philosophy of Psychology, Philosophy of Mind
- Ludwig Wittgenstein: Ethics, Aesthetics, Philosophy of Religion, Philosophy of Culture
- Ludwig Wittgenstein: In Interdisciplinary Contexts (Literature, Music, Visual Arts…)
List of confirmed speakers:
Hanne Appelqvist (Helsinki), Hanoch Ben-Yami (Vienna), Gisela Bengtsson (Bergen), William Child (Oxford), James Conant (Chicago), Anne-Marie S. Christensen (Odense), Mauro Engelmann (Minas Gerais), Cecilie Eriksen (Aarhus), Matthew Fielding (Halifax), David Finkelstein (Chicago), Eran Guter (Yezreel Valley), Thomas Hainscho (Klagenfurt), Michel ter Hark (Amsterdam), Richard Heinrich (Vienna), Lars Hertzberg (Abo), Ron Hustwitt (Wooster), Wolfgang Kienzler (Jena), Oskari Kuusela (Norwich), Michele Lavazza (Emilia Reggio), Stefan Majetschak (Kassel), Marie McGinn (York), Denis McManus (Southampton), Ray Monk (Southampton), Gabriele Mras (Vienna), Milijana Pavlovic (Innsbruck), Luigi Perisinotto (Venice), Christoph Pfisterer (Zurich), Martin Pilch (Vienna), Duncan Richter (Virginia), Josef Rothhaupt (Munich), Mario von der Ruhr (Swansea), Simo Säätelä (Bergen), Hans Sluga (Berkeley), Ilse Somavilla (Innsbruck), David Stern (Iowa), Ulrike Tanzer (Innsbruck), Thomas Wallgren (Helsinki), Meredith Williams (New York
Deadline for paper submissions: April 7th, 2026
Final date for registration: July 16th, 2026
Students and early career researchers are especially encouraged to submit a presentation.
Conference languages: English and German