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Sami PihlströmView profile

Professor

• Philosophy of Religion
• Pragmatism
• Theology
• +5 more

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 .

Zachary J. BraitermanView profile

Professor

• Jewish Philosophy
• Post-Holocaust Theology
• Modern Jewish Thought
• +1 more

Zachary Braiterman is Professor in the Department of Religion at Syracuse University's College of Arts and Sciences with affiliations in Philosophy and Middle Eastern Studies. His research examines modern Jewish thought, post-Holocaust theology, and the intersection of aesthetics with religious thought. His scholarly work focuses on Jewish philosophical responses to catastrophe, the relationship between religious traditions and modern aesthetics, and post-Holocaust Jewish theology. Key contributions include the concept of 'antitheodicy' in post-Holocaust thought and analysis of revelation in modern Jewish philosophy.

• Interdisciplinary Literary Studies
• History and Theory of Satire
• Latin and Neo-Latin Literature
• +7 more

Sari Kivistö is a Professor of Comparative Literature at Tampere University (since 2016) and a Docent of Comparative Literature at the University of Helsinki. She has held leadership roles, including Deputy Director (2010–2015) and Director (2015–2016) of the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies. She is a member of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters and the Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters . Education: She holds a Doctoral Dissertation (2002) titled Creating Anti-Eloquence , examining stylistic vices in Renaissance humanist polemics. Her academic journey includes post-doctoral research at the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies (2004–2009). Research Interests: Her work spans interdisciplinary literary studies, including the history and theory of satire , Latin and Neo-Latin literature , classical traditions , suffering in literature , and the history of rhetoric and translations . Current projects explore lost literary genres , the intersection of poetry and medicine , and epistemic vices in early modern academia. Awards and Recognition: Recognized through prestigious memberships in the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters and the Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters, affirming her scholarly contributions to literary and philosophical studies. Advising and Grants: Her research has been supported by grants such as the Kone Foundation (2023–2026, "Literary Extinction" project ), the Academy of Finland (2009–2014, "The Vices of Learning" ), and the Helsingin Sanomat Foundation (2016–2018). She collaborates widely, co-authoring works with scholars like S. Pihlström on topics ranging from antitheodicy to critical distance. Labs/Teams: Leads the Kone Foundation-funded project on lost literary genres , involving international collaborations and producing a weekly blog and publications. Partners include the Herzog August Bibliothek in Wolfenbüttel, Germany.