Kursbeschreibung

Course language: English

Target Group:

Doctoral researchers of all faculties.

Lecture:

Prof.in Dr. Christine Blättler

First Meeting:

Tuesday, April 28th, 2026, 04:00 a.m. - 05:30 p.m.: Leibnizstr. 4, 1st Floor, Room 07

The following dates for this event are to be fixed at the first meeting.

Workshop description:

In the sciences, the relationship between sensory certainty and construction is a recurring topic of debate, and the first question that arises is: How does sensory data come about in the first place, how is it collected, organized, and made useful for the development of a theory? While all sensory data collection is based on selected parameters, the human senses are not an anthropological constant. Rather, they have a diverse history across time and cultures. Even the definition of the five senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste is by no means self-evident. The course explores questions about the constitution, classification, and transformation of the senses with the French philosopher of science Michel Serres.

Attendance at the course in the previous semester is not necessary.

Text base:

Michel Serres: The Five Senses. A Philosophy of Mingled Bodies, Bloomsbury 2016.

Registration:

Our courses are avilable via the booking portal of Kiel University's Continuing Professional Development Center. You will find them listed under the category  Exclusively for Doctoral Researchers. Courses within this category are part of the Graduate Center's qualification program. They are free of charge for doctoral researchers who are registered with the Graduate Center. To get access to these courses you must be register with the Graduate Center, here.

Registrations are welcome until April 21tst, 2026.

Organizational details:

•    Please note the data protection statement of the Graduate Center.

If you have questions before the first meeting please contact per E-Mail an Frau Prof. Dr. Christine Blättler, Philosophisches Seminar.