معرفی
Maria Kronfeldner is a Professor of Philosophy at the Central European University (CEU), holding roles in the Department of Philosophy, Social Mind Center, and Undergraduate Studies. She has been at CEU since 2014, following a tenure as Junior Professor at Bielefeld University (2010–2014). Her academic journey includes fellowships at institutions such as the Max Planck Institute for History of Science, University of Chicago, University of Pittsburgh, and University of Sydney. She earned her PhD in Philosophy from the University of Regensburg in 2006, recognized with prestigious awards including the Karl Popper Essay Prize and the Philosophical Quarterly International Essay Prize.
Her research bridges philosophy of science, metaphysics, and social philosophy, focusing on human nature, dehumanization, and science-society interactions. Key projects include the Routledge Handbook of Dehumanization (2021) and her monograph What’s Left of Human Nature (2018), which critiques essentialist views and proposes a pluralist, interactive account of human nature. Current research explores the 'Epistemology of the In/Human,' addressing crises in knowledge about humanity and academic freedom.
Kronfeldner’s service roles include leadership in organizations like the Österreichische Gesellschaft für Philosophie, the Karl Popper Foundation, and the Leiden-based Research AFITE Network. At CEU, she directs the Philosophy Research and Publish Lab and co-directs the Vienna Science Studies Lab. She also champions inclusive philosophy through initiatives like the Affordable Philosophy Initiative and mentoring networks (e.g., MAP, SWIP, Arbeiterkind e.V.).
Her work emphasizes ethical and social dimensions of science, including critiques of genetic determinism, scientific responsibility, and academic freedom. Recent publications address dehumanization’s paradoxes, academic critique boundaries, and interdisciplinary research methodologies.
