Conference: Imagination in the History of Philosophy

phantasia, imaginatio, imagination: from Plato to Hume

October 9-11, 2025

Organisers: Attila Hangai & Dániel Attila Kovács & Dániel Schmal

Conference Topic

The conference traces the notion of mental representation (phantasia, imaginatio) in ancient, medieval, and early modern philosophy. The papers cover various aspects of the notion, including its role in cognitive activities – e.g., sense-perception, memory, imagination, dreaming, discursive thinking – as well as in moral psychology, especially as the bearer of motivational content both in humans and in other animals. By tracing the development of the notion from its ancient origins through its medieval reception until early modernity, we expect to gain a new perspective on the history of ideas of human cognition.

In relation to the conference, we invite you to the talk on Novalis by James D. Reid (MSU Denver), titled 'Poetry is the Hero of Philosophy': Novalis and the Power of the Imagination. Time: 8th October 18:00; venue: ELTE BTK (Astoria).

October 9 Program 

October 10 Program 

October 11 Program 

Practical Information

Forrás: az ELTE HTK Filozófia Kutatóintézet hivatalos bejegyzését itt találják.