The Irish Philosophical Society was founded in 1962. It counts among its members most professional philosophers in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, as well as students and members of the public.

Our aim is to promote philosophical discussion in Ireland. The IPS supports the professional development of philosophers at all levels and works to foster greater understanding and appreciation of the value of philosophical inquiry.

We organise a conference each year at different locations in Ireland and publish the Yearbook of the Irish Philosophical Society.

The Irish Philosophical Society

Cumann Fealsúnachta na hÉireann

Call for Participation

Offence Given and Offence Taken

A one-and-a-half-day workshop at the University of Galway in partnership with the Irish Philosophical Society

Offence is an increasingly prevalent social phenomenon that has received little philosophical analysis. To be offended or to take offence can have significant social power and incur severe professional and personal consequences. While a wide array of utterances, actions, creative outputs and personal beliefs are spoken of as sources of offence, spaces to meaningfully dialogue what offence may mean, discuss, respond to and handle potentially offensive content and how to identify spaces where offence ought to be avoided are few. To offend or be offended is an idea that has moved from the sphere of manners and social mores towards a tension-filled space in which neither the offended nor the offender are satisfied and understanding of offence itself is often not reached.

This in-person one-and-a-half-day workshop will take place at the University of Galway on Thursday 30 and Friday 31^st of May 2024.

In the interests of stimulating discussion, papers will be circulated to participants beforehand.

Attendees are welcome to attend as many of the sessions that interest them. The aim of this workshop is to stimulate collaborative discussion into an under-explored yet relevant phenomenon.

Registration is free for all those currently registered as members of the IPS or is priced at €30 for full-time academics and €15 for students and part-time or independent scholars. This registration fee includes a one-year membership to the Irish Philosophical Society.

Offence and Creativity

A session focused on the challenges of curating and commissioning sensitive content

Keynote: Azadeh Fatherad

Offence and Belief

A session focused on offence as a moral emotion and philosophical frameworks that might impact approaches to offence and offending.

Keynote: Emily McTiernan

Offence and Silence

A session focused on silencing and being silenced.

Keynote: Alberto Guiblini

Event details:

This event will take place in-person at the University of Galway on Thursday 30th May and Friday 31st of May. Queries about the event can be sent to: offenceworkshop24@gmail.com

Those participating in the workshop should be members of the Irish Philosophical Society.

Key dates:

Registration closes: May 10th
Papers circulated: May 20th
Workshop commences: May 30th (10am)