The Inaugural Conference between Maynooth University Philosophy
Society and Philosophical Society: Oxford
Part of The Philosophical Society: Oxford’s International Weekend
2026
Topic: ‘What is the Valueof Philosophy?’
Maynooth University, Kildare, Ireland
20th – 21st November, 2026
Call for Abstracts
Scope:
From Hegel proclaiming the absoluteness and importance of philosophy to
contemporary voices which suggest its obsolete status in the face of our
modern technology: whether one is a fanatic or simply disinterested, it
seems that the relevance of philosophy persists. Philosophy, the most
fundamental discipline and one lauded as the original blueprint for all
other preceding subjects of thought, takes blow after blow and is somehow no
less resilient as a result. Is its value simply that, its
ever-presence and dare we say pestering nature? Must philosophy retire from
the forefront and live-out its grey years as a handmaiden to the natural
sciences? This and more is available for the potential speaker to grapple
with.
We invite those interested to contribute to this broad topic in whichever
sense they see fit, as long as they in some way engage with the question
‘What is the Value of Philosophy?’. Whether the speaker believes that
philosophy is more relevant than ever or whether it is beyond its golden
age, or perhaps something in between or outside these general parameters:
this is not for us to decide, but it is our privilege to delight in the
potential discussions and insights that this conference will facilitate.
Keynote Speaker:
Our keynote speaker is one whom both societies have much to thank for.
Without his involvement this event would not have made it past the stage of
an idea. In his position as both the Secretary of The Philosophical
Society: Oxford and as a PhD candidate at Maynooth University, Ireland,
we are delighted to have him as the bridge between both contexts.
Dr Alan Xuereb holds a Doctorate in Law (1996) from the University of
Malta and an M.Phil. in Philosophy of Law (2004) from the same institution.
He is currently employed as a lawyer-linguist at the Court of Justice of the
European Union in Luxembourg. While his principal academic field is the
philosophy of law, Alan has long maintained a strong interest in political
philosophy, particularly in questions concerning the common good, as well as
in the philosophy of physics, with a special focus on the nature of time. He
has recently completed a second doctorate (PhD in Philosophy) at Maynooth
University, in which he has explored the relationship between aesthetic
experience, in its various forms, and the common good. This research project
includes a deeper investigation into Christian Norberg-Schulz’s
interpretation of Martin Heidegger’s phenomenological approach to
architecture. He is the current Secretary of The Philosophical Society:
Oxford.
Proposed Conference Format:
Day 1: Friday, 20th November
Time
Topic
Speaker(s)
13:00–13:10
Introduction to Day 1
Sheilagh Noonan
President
of the Maynooth University Philosophy Society
Oisín A. Raymond
Secretary of the Maynooth University Philosophy Society
and Co-Editor in Chief of Maynooth Philosophy Supplement
13:10–13:55
Keynote Speaker
Dr Alan Xuereb
Secretary of The Philosophical Society: Oxford
Q&A
14:10–14:55
Speaker 2
TBA
14:55–15:10
Q&A
15:10–15:55
Speaker 3
TBA
15:55–16:10
Q&A
End of Day 1
Day 2: Saturday, 21st November
Time
Topic
Speaker(s)
09:00–09:10
Introduction to Day 2
Kathy Postelle Rixon
Chair of The Philosophical Society: Oxford
Aleksi Ivanov Gramatikov
Previous Vice-President of the Maynooth University Philosophy Society
Founder and Co-Editor in Chief of Maynooth Philosophy Supplement
09:10–09:55
Speaker 4
TBA
09:55–10:10
Q&A
10:10–09:55
Speaker 5
TBA
10:55–11:10
Q&A
11:10–11:55
Speaker 6
TBA
11:55–12:10
Q&A
12:10-13:10
Lunch Break
13:10–13:55
Speaker 7
TBA
13:55–14:10
Q&A
14:10–14:55
Speaker 8
TBA
14:55–15:10
Q&A
15:10–15:55
Speaker 9
TBA
15:55–16:10
Q&A
End of Conference
Timeline and Selection Process:
Deadline for Abstracts:
31st August, 2026
Notified by:
1st October, 2026
Conference held:
20th–21st November, 2026
Abstracts will undergo blind peer-review by members of the conference
committee who represent the Maynooth University Philosophy Society
and The Philosophical Society: Oxford, respectively.
Submission of Abstracts:
Abstracts must include the following:
1. Proposed title; 2. No more than 3–5 Keywords; 3. Be no longer than
500 words
Upon successful completion and acceptance, speakers will be asked to forward
a short biographical note consisting of no more than 200
words.
Submissions from The Philosophical Society: Oxford members must be
sent to:
