Sami Pihlström

Sami Pihlström is a Professor of Philosophy of Religion at the Faculty of Theology, University of Helsinki, since 2014. He serves as the Supervisor for the Doctoral Programme in Theology and Religious Studies and holds a Docent title in Theoretical Philosophy at the University of Helsinki.

• Doctorate (FT/PhD) in Theoretical Philosophy, University of Helsinki (1996)
• Philosophy Licentiate (FL/Phil.Lic.), University of Helsinki (1994)
• Master’s (FK/MA) in Theoretical Philosophy, University of Helsinki (1993)
• Additional Docent titles in Philosophy (University of Turku, 1998; Axiology and Philosophical Anthropology, University of Eastern Finland, 2000)

Pihlström’s research spans philosophy of religion, pragmatism, transcendental arguments, and ethical finitude. His work critiques theodicies through a pragmatist lens, explores naturalism’s limitations, and addresses mortality’s philosophical implications. He integrates American Pragmatism with European traditions, focusing on realism, humanism, and antitheodicy.

His recent projects include the Secular Theodicies – A Pragmatist Critique (2024–2028, funded by the Research Council of Finland) and collaborative research on mortality and religious recognition. He has led international research networks and hosted sabbatical grants from the Finnish Foundations’ Professorial Pool and the Alfred Kordelin Foundation.

• Young scholar’s essay prizes (1998)
• Textbook prize (2001)
• University of Kentucky philosophy essay prize (2004)
• Vuoden Märsky alumnus of the year (2018)
• University of Helsinki Faculty of Theology teacher of the year (2019)
• Lifetime memberships: Academia Europaea (2015-), Institut International de Philosophie (2016-), Finnish Academy of Science and Letters (2017-), Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters (2020-)

As Director of the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies (2009–2015) and the Doctoral Programme in Theology and Religious Studies (2018–2021), Pihlström has mentored 20 doctoral graduates and numerous MA/BA students. His grants include Academy of Finland Postdoctoral Fellowship (1999–2002) and Argumenta Project (2011–2013).

He contributes to academic governance as Chair of the Research Council for Culture and Society (Academy of Finland, 2019–2021) and editorial leadership for journals like Ajatus and Sats.