Gunnar Karlsen

Gunnar Karlsen serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy and First Semester Studies at the University of Bergen's Faculty of Humanities, where his work uniquely intersects philosophical inquiry with embodied practices like mountaineering and environmental engagement.

His research centers on Philosophy of Mind and Personal Identity, particularly through functionalist frameworks, while pioneering the Philosophy of Mountaineering as a lens for examining deep ecology, aesthetics, and ethical dimensions of human-nature interaction. Karlsen investigates how climbing experiences challenge conventional summit-oriented values, proposing alternative frameworks rooted in game theory, ecological ethics, and artistic creation.

Analysis of his publication trends reveals consistent exploration of technology-nature binaries—evident in his 2021 analysis of prosthetic identity in Lem's fiction and 2024 deconstruction of summiting imperatives—demonstrating how mountaineering serves as a critical site for philosophical innovation beyond traditional academic boundaries.

He actively contributes to interdisciplinary research groups including Formation - nature, body, movement and Landscapes and Beings in Formative Practices at the University of Western Norway, focusing on nature-based educational methodologies and physical nurturing systems within collaborative projects involving 25+ researchers.