CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Philosophy of Atmospheres

PRIN PNRR 2022 “Atmospheres (ATMOS): What They Are and How They Are Grasped” 

PI: Prof. Elvira Di Bona, code: P2022TY73E_004, CUP D53D23020850001

Next Generation EU program

University of Turin, 27–29 November 2025

Atmospheres permeate our experience of places, objects, events, and interpersonal space—but what are they, and how do we grasp them? This conference invites philosophical investigations into the nature, structure, and significance of atmospheres, understood as affectively charged, perceptually salient, and socially meaningful aspects of our lived environment.

The ATMOS-project welcomes contributions that address the ontological and epistemological status of atmospheres, their role in perception and their function across several domains. We are interested in how atmospheres shape cognition, behaviors, or public discourse; if and how they are engineered, resisted, or transformed; if they are perceptual, affective, or sui generis and how bodily movement, interactive dynamics, or sensory integration contribute to their constitution.

1. What kind of metaphysical entities are atmospheres—are they perceptual phenomena, affective experiences, or fictional contents?

2. How can we best account for their epistemic status in relation to our perceived environment?

3. Can atmospheres function as a form of implicit communication, and how might linguistic practices contribute to their formation, reinforcement, or disruption?

4. How do different sensory modalities integrate to produce unified atmospheric experiences, and what role does bodily movement or sensorimotor feedback play in this process?

5. How do immersive artistic environments—such as installations, digital media, or virtual realities—shape or transform the perception of atmospheres?

Invited speakers

Federica Buongiorno (University of Florence)

Elisa Caldarola (University of Turin)

Elvira Di Bona (University of Turin)

Stefano Ercolino (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice)

Derek Matravers (Open University - UK)

Takuya Niikawa (Kobe University)

Camilla Palazzolo (University of Genoa)

Elisabetta Sacchi (University Vita-Salute San Raffaele)

Joulia Smortchkova (University Grenoble Alpes)

Enrico Terrone (University of Genoa)

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

Please submit proposals by writing to both:

• Dr. Regina-Nino Mion: reginanino.mion@unito.it

• Dr. Mariaenrica Giannuzzi: mariaenrica.giannuzzi@unito.it

Submissions should be done as PDF files prepared for blind review.

Please submit abstracts of max. 500 words together with a title, 3 keywords and one-page short CV. Accepted speakers will be given a 30 min. time slot to present their work.

The deadline for receipt is September 5, 2025.

Speakers will be notified of decisions by September 25, 2025.