PhD Scholarship at the University of Grenoble Alpes
under the Supervision of Prof. Marie-Frédérique Pellegrin and Prof. Joulia Smortchkova
The History of the Concept of ‘Impression’ in Modern and Contemporary Philosophy
Abstract of the PhD project:
The notion of ‘impression’ is frequently employed to articulate sensory experience; however, it remains an enigmatic concept that is yet to be thoroughly explicated from a philosophical perspective. The term ‘impression’ is employed to denote a vague and imprecise form of knowledge, which is located somewhere between a trace and an illusion. The objective of this doctoral research project is to analyse the evolution of this notion throughout the historical progression of philosophy, with a particular focus on its manifestation in modern philosophical thought. The central aim is to comprehend its utilisation in contemporary philosophy of mind. The central question of this study is whether an impression can be considered a form of perceptual knowledge. The question arises as to whether this phenomenon is invariably illusory. The question of its constant indeterminacy remains unresolved. The fundamental question of whether impressions are formed in a vacuum or are shaped by prior experiences is a crucial one for the field of psychology.
The central ambition of the present PhD project is to examine the genesis of this concept in modern philosophy, thereby facilitating a comprehensive understanding of its intellectual history. In pursuit of this objective, it is imperative to consider the epistemic ramifications of the concept in question.
The programme is structured into three distinct stages. The first stage involves an in-depth study of selected texts in modern philosophy, with the specific content to be determined in consultation with both co-supervisors. The second stage entails a conceptual analysis of the notion of ‘impression’. The third and final stage involves the application of the findings from the first two stages to the utilisation of the notion in contemporary philosophy of mind.
This PhD project constitutes a component of the ‘Perception and its links with the imagination and memory’ research group and the ‘Towards a philosophy of first impressions’ project, which is associated with the aforementioned research group. The supervision of the project will be shared between Marie-Frédérique Pellegrin (Professor of Modern Philosophy) and Joulia Smortchkova (Senior Research Fellow in the Philosophy of Perception). The project will also involve a postdoctoral researcher for a period of one year.
The project will benefit from international collaborations with the IPhiG network and, in particular, with the University of Turin (ongoing collaborative project with Marie-Frédérique Pellegrin), the University of Cagliari and Ruhr-Universität Bochum.
The required level of English is defined as advanced. This means that the individual concerned can use the language effectively and express themselves precisely. They are also able to participate in seminars and write articles in English.
The application process for this position necessitates the submission of the following documents:
– Curriculum vitae
– Covering letter
– Research proposal (maximum two pages)
– Master’s thesis
– Diplomas and certificates of completion
– Letters of recommendation
– Academic transcripts
All documents should be submitted collectively to the following email addresses:
marie-frederique.pellegrin@univ-grenoble-alpes.fr
joulia.smortchkova@univ-grenoble-alpes.fr
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