Jonas Olson

Jonas Olson is Professor of Practical Philosophy at Stockholm University and serves as Vice Dean of the Faculty of Humanities for the term 2024-2027. He is based at the Department of Philosophy, with office in room D 720 at Universitetsvägen 10 D. Olson holds significant administrative responsibilities, serving as Chair of the Teacher Proposal Committee and as a member of numerous university committees including the Area Committee for Human Sciences, Faculty Committee for Humanities, Budget Committee, BUGA (Committee for Education at Undergraduate and Advanced Level), HUGO (Working Group for Education and Quality Issues), and RALV (Council for Work Environment and Equal Opportunities).

Olson's academic journey includes:

• Ph.D. in Practical Philosophy, Uppsala University (2005)
• M.A. in Practical Philosophy, Lund University (2001)
• University Lecturer in Practical Philosophy, Stockholm University (since 2008)
• Tutorial Fellow and Departmental Lecturer at University of Oxford (2005-2008)
• Assistant Lecturer at University of Otago, New Zealand (2004-2005)

His research focuses primarily on metaethics, with special emphasis on moral error theory, value theory, and the intersection of moral philosophy with epistemology. Olson's work consistently engages with historical figures including Hume, Brentano, and Moore while addressing contemporary debates in normative ethics. His scholarship demonstrates particular interest in moral nihilism, expressivism, and the metaphysics of reasons, often exploring how historical perspectives inform current metaethical discussions.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals continued development of his work on moral error theory, with increasing attention to its practical implications for moral discourse and practice. His writing shows strong engagement with contemporary debates about moral fictionalism, normative certitude, and the relationship between moral and epistemic error theories.

Key scholarly contributions include:

• Author of "Moral Error Theory: History, Critique, Defense" (Oxford University Press, 2014), which received significant attention including a book symposium in Journal of Moral Philosophy
• Co-editor of "The Oxford Handbook of Value Theory" (2015)
• Co-editor of "Theories of Justice and Rights, by J. L. Mackie" (2024)

Olson leads major research projects including "If Nothing Matters: Normative Nihilism and Its Implications" (funded by the Swedish Research Council since 2020) and "'A Controversy Started of Late': Rationalism and Sentimentalism in 18th Century Metaethics" (funded by the Bank of Sweden Tercentenary Foundation from 2014-2017). He serves as Editor of the Library of Theory book series since 2022 and contributes regularly to public discourse through essays in DN Kultur, Flamman, and other media outlets.