Paderborn University, L3 204 – L-building, Pohlweg 57, 33098 Paderborn – Germany
Dear Colleagues
From September 8-12, 2025, the Center for the History of Women Philosophers and Scientists will host the nextLibori Summer School. During this exciting summer school, we will explore the early works of Émilie du Châtelet with interested scholars, students, and renowned experts. The summer school is open to everyone and will be held in a hybrid format at Paderborn University. Led by Prof. Dr. Ruth Edith Hagengruber and organized by Dr. Jil Muller with the support of Felix Grewe the Summer School invites students (of all stages) from around the world to engage in a collaborative, in-depth exploration of Du Châtelet’s early writings and intellectual legacy.
We are encouraging students to submit papers sharing their ideas on the works of Du Châtelet that we will discuss about the following texts and within the proposed program:
- Monday, 8 September 2025: Enlightenment perspectives on ethics and moral theory: Commentaire et traduction de la Fable des abeilles de Mandeville (Original) | Commentary on Mandeville’s Fable of the Bees (English translation)
- Tuesday, 9 September 2025: The nature of liberty and free will: Chap. 5. De la liberte (Original) | Chapter 5 On Liberty (English translation)
- Wednesday, 10 September 2025: The foundations of natural philosophy: Chap. 4. De la formation des couleurs (Original) | Chapter 4 On the Formation of Colours (English translation)
- Thursday, 11 September 2025: On language and ontology: Grammaire raisonnee (Original) | Chapter 6 On Grammar (English translation)
- Friday, 12 September 2025: On metaphysics, eternity, immortality of the soul and an eternal being: Traité de metaphisique (Original) | Treatise on Metaphysics (English translation)
Curious about Enlightenment debates on liberty and free will? Eager to explore Du Châtelet’s interpretation of Mandeville’s ethics? Interested in the intersections of natural philosophy and sciences, and in the exploration of Du Châtelet’s thoughts about Newtons’ theory of light and colors?
We welcome applications from students with a keen interest in early modern philosophy, Enlightenment thought, or the history of science. Credits can be gained through in-person and hybrid participation.
To apply for the student sessions, please submit:
- An updated CV (max. 1 pages)
- A committed analysis of 1000 words on at least one of the above mentioned topics (Liberty /Mandeville / Colours / Grammar / Metaphysics). This paper will be discussed during the Libori Summer school’s students session.
Application deadline: August 30, 2025. Please submit your documents via our mail: contact@historyofwomenphilosophers.org
Further information about the Libori Summer School 2025, the program, the experts, the venue and theregistration can be found at our webpage: https://historyofwomenphilosophers.org/libori-summer-school-2025/
We look forward to your participation at this year’s Libori Summer School.
For further questions contact: contact@historyofwomenphilosophers.org
Libori Summer School 2025 – The early works of Émilie Du Châtelet
Organizers: Prof. Dr Ruth E. Hagengruber & Dr. Jil Muller
Center for the History of Women Philosophers and Scientists
Paderborn University