The International Conference on Philosophy of Life

The Faculty of Literature, Philosophy and Languages, University of Tabriz (Iran), in collaboration with the Faculty of Philosophy, Pontifical Antonianum University (Rome, Italy), is pleased to announce the International Conference on Philosophy of Life.

The conference aims to establish "Life" as an autonomous and fundamental philosophical concept. Throughout the history of philosophy, life has often been approached indirectly through metaphysics, ontology, ethics, politics, psychology, or biology, rather than as an independent philosophical problem. This conference seeks to provide a scholarly platform for rethinking life as a rich philosophical category with its own conceptual framework, theoretical foundations, and practical implications.

Researchers, scholars, and graduate students are invited to submit original papers addressing philosophical perspectives on life and related concepts.

Conference Information

Conference Title:International Conference on Philosophy of Life

Date:20 November 2026

Venue: Khaghani Hall, Faculty of Literature, Philosophy and Languages
University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

Online Participation: Google Meet (The meeting link will be published on the conference website several days before the event.)

Paper Submission Deadline: 1 November 2026

Submission Email:
philosophy@tabrizu.ac.ir

Support Email:
jpitabrizu@gmail.com

Conference Chairs

Scientific Chair (Iran)

Dr. Masoud Omid
Professor of Philosophy
Dean, Faculty of Literature, Philosophy and Languages
University of Tabriz

Executive Chair (Iran)

Dr. Muhammad Asghari
Professor of Philosophy
Vice Dean for Research
Faculty of Literature, Philosophy and Languages
University of Tabriz

Scientific Chair (Italy)

Prof. Andrea Bizzozero
Professor of Philosophy
Dean, Faculty of Philosophy
Pontifical Antonianum University, Rome

Executive Chair (Italy)

Prof. Mario Lupoli
Professor of Philosophy
Pontifical Antonianum University, Rome

Conference Theme

Human history has continually been shaped by events that affect life in its individual and collective dimensions. Yet despite its centrality, life has rarely been treated as an independent philosophical concept. Classical philosophy primarily explored the biological, political, ethical, or social meanings of life, while nineteenth-century philosophy emphasized its historical dimension. Only in contemporary philosophy has life gradually emerged as a distinct philosophical category.

This conference seeks to investigate the possibility of developing a comprehensive philosophy of life by examining life as an autonomous philosophical concept, distinct from biological, social, political, historical, or purely existential interpretations. It encourages dialogue concerning the philosophical meaning of life, the concept of the subject of life, the life-world, authenticity, self-formation, embodiment, temporality, language, ethics, spirituality, and the future of philosophical inquiry centered on life.

Main Topics

The conference welcomes contributions on (but not limited to) the following themes:

Why has "Life" been neglected as an independent philosophical problem?

From Being to Life: Towards a New Philosophical Paradigm

Historical Transformations in the Philosophical Understanding of Life

Philosophy of Life versus Philosophy of Vitalism, Existentialism, and Philosophical Psychology

Life as Problematic or Problem

The Concept of the Life-World

The Subject of Life

The Philosophy of Authentic Life

Life as a Philosophical Concept

Philosophizing from the Horizon of Life

Realist, Idealist, Pragmatist, Phenomenological, Hermeneutic, and Existential Approaches to Life

Categories and Structures of Life

One Life or Many Lives?

The Difference Between Being Alive and Living

Philosophical Definitions of Life

Life as Perspective

Life as Narrative

First-Person and Third-Person Narratives of Life

The First Encounter with Life

Life as Identity and Individuation

Life as Self-Creation

Presence and Absence of Life

Temporality of Life

Language and Life

Embodiment of Life

Forms and Modes of Life

Affirmation of Life

Life as Trial and Examination

Authentic and Inauthentic Life

Meaning of Life

Spirituality and Life

Ethics of Life

Nihilism and Life

Death of Life

Health and Well-being

Lifestyles and Patterns of Living

Traditional and Modern Forms of Life

Borderline Lives and Living Between Worlds

Researchers from all philosophical traditions and interdisciplinary fields are warmly invited to participate in this international scholarly event and contribute to advancing contemporary philosophical discussions on the concept of life.