UCD School of Philosophy

15/10/2026

New Publication! "Empathy, Interactions with AI, and Identity Building" Leda Berio.

Leda Berio contributed a chapter to the volume "Empathy and Artificial Intelligence Challenges, Advances and Ethical Considerations", Cambridge University Press.

Abstract: In this chapter, I bring attention to how affectively loaded conversations are grounds for interpersonal inquiry and function as sounding boards for self-interpretations. In particular, I argue that receiving empathy often functions as a form of validation of our stories, and that AI-simulated empathy can constitute feedback integrated in our self-narration. Relying on narrative views of self-understanding and on the idea that our self-narratives are socially situated, I claim that technologies meant to simulate human conversation and interactions can potentially change the socio-cultural conditions of our self-narration practices, and that this deserves further scrutiny.

Image: A watercolour and ink painting, portraying Empathy by Varsam Kurnia.

05/10/2026

The annual Royal Institute of Philosophy/UCD School of Philosophy public lecture will be delivered this year by Prof. Dr Hartmut Rosa (Professor at Friedrich-Schiller University in Jena and Director of the Max-Weber-Kolleg in Erfurt) on Thursday, 29th October at 5.00 pm.

It's a great chance to explore thought-provoking ideas and connect with fellow philosophy enthusiasts. Don't miss out on this exciting event!

Registration is free at https://buff.ly/Vv5z17U

The lecture will be recorded and made available later.

05/10/2026

07/09/2026

Kevin MArevey receives his honorary doctorate for his pioneering work introducing philosophy to young students.

03/09/2026

🏁 Only a few days left to apply for UCD’s Professional Certificate Ethics!
📆 Begins 9th September - flexible 12-week hybrid schedule
🌟 Master ESG & DEI policies, ethical decision making.
ℹ Learn more: https://www.ucd.ie/cepl/study/professionalcertificateinethicsmicrocredential/

27/08/2026

The School of Philosophy is hosting a 3-day colloquium 'To Forgive?'
📆 1-3 September 2026
⏰ 2-6pm daily
📍Room D520, 5th Floor, School of Philosophy, Newman Building, UCD
⭐️ Featuring national and international speakers
📜 Please see the programme for further information

27/08/2026

Compliance is just the baseline. True leadership requires ethical decision-making.

Ethical dilemmas happen every day in public and private sector workplaces. Knowing how to implement effective ESG and DEI strategies isn’t just good practice—it’s essential for modern organisational health. Get the practical tools to navigate complex governance landscapes with University College Dublin.

⚖️ Boost your problem-solving skills this autumn with UCD’s Professional Certificate Ethics. Master Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) & Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) practices and policies via a flexible 12-week hybrid schedule.

🗓 Starts Sept 2026. Apply now! https://www.ucd.ie/cepl/study/professionalcertificateinethicsmicrocredential/

21/08/2026

For students who are currently registering their 2026/27 module choices, we’ll be making more places available on some of our most popular modules shortly. So if you’re unable to register for your preferred choices, try again in a few days, or contact your College or [email protected] for assistance.

Alternatively, if you’re still deciding which modules to take, here are some ideas for further inspiration! https://www.ucd.ie/philosophy/study/undergraduate/streams/

10/08/2026

Applications are invited for a 36-month fixed-term Lecturer/Assistant Professor in and , starting 1 Jan 2027. Further details at https://www.ucd.ie/workatucd/jobs/ (search for ‘philosophy’, job ref: 019928). Closing date: midday local time, 4 Sep 2026.

24/07/2026

Lazy? Prof. Brian O'Connor, UCD School of Philosophy, contributes to MoMA R&D Salon 56 discussion on the topic of laziness, 24 June 2026 (see minutes 27:41 - 29:45).

https://momarnd.moma.org/salons/59-lazy

Laziness is often deemed a moral failure. Sloth is one of the seven deadly sins. Slackers and layabouts are viewed askance. The Protestant work ethic, as coined by Max Weber, regards productivity and efficiency in the highest order. Capitalist culture has long applied the label “lazy” unevenly, conjuring racist, classist, and ableist tropes. Anyone unable to submit their body to laboring conditions could be chastised for laziness–with particular ire reserved for those who rely on the state for financial assistance.

On the other hand, in his 1880 manifesto The Right to be Lazy, Paul Lafargue advocated against the inherent virtuosity of work and in favor of expanded leisure time and idleness. As recent viral terms like quiet quitting, burnout, lie-down, and the Great Resignation suggest, many today are turning against the relentless hustle and grind of contemporary work culture, whether joyfully or resignedly. The COVID-19 pandemic and the widespread introduction of AI have further complicated the relationship between productivity and idleness, work and rest. And idling in lieu of protest seems negligent and misguided in an age of compounding political and environmental crises.

Some of the questions we will ask: Is laziness a psychological condition or a social construction? Where is the line between laziness and leisure? Between laziness and apathy? Laziness and burnout or depression? Why do we valorize work? How do we measure ambition and success? Is AI making us lazy? Will the use of AI leave us more time for leisure, or will it accelerate the demand for productivity? From “nepo-babies” to “welfare queens,” how does society determine who is and who gets to be lazy? Can we learn to uncouple productivity from a person’s worth? Are killing time and hanging out worthwhile pursuits? How do we reclaim free time? In this critical moment, is there space for thinking about laziness?

Laziness is often deemed a moral failure. Sloth is one of the seven deadly sins. Slackers and layabouts are viewed askance. The Protestant work ethic, as coined