The Center for the History of Women Philosophers and Scientists is pleased to invite you to an exciting talk as part of the event Women in the History of Analytic Philosophy and Philosophy of Science:

Date: February
Time: 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM via Zoom
Speaker: Dr. Julia Franke-Reddig (University of Siegen and Université de Genève)
Topic: Ilse (Rosenthal-)Schneider and Einstein on Kantian Philosophy

The name Ilse (Rosenthal-)Schneider may not be widely known today, yet she was a significant figure in early 20th-century philosophy of science. A student of Albert Einstein, Max von Laue, and Alois Riehl, she completed her dissertation on the space-time problem in the context of Kant and Einstein, which was published with Springer in 1921. While her interpretation of the relationship between transcendental philosophy and the theory of relativity faced strong criticism from notable figures such as Moritz Schlick and Hans Reichenbach, Einstein himself remained a supporter of her work—even after her exile to Australia in 1938.

Despite not obtaining a professorship in Australia, Schneider continued to contribute actively to research and university life. She later played a crucial role in the development of Australian philosophy of science. Her systematic approach advocated for a Neo-Kantian perspective, arguing that transcendental philosophy and Einstein’s general theory of relativity were not incompatible. This is particularly compelling given Einstein’s philosophical evolution—from a conventionalist stance in 1917 to a more realist position in his later years, as noted by Klaus Hentschel.

In this talk, Dr. Julia Franke-Reddig will reconstruct Schneider’s position and compare it with Einstein’s own remarks on the subject. The discussion aims to shed light on Einstein’s evolving philosophical stance and provide an initial framework for understanding the broader philosophical implications of relativity theory.

A must-attend event for anyone interested in the intersections of philosophy, physics, and the history of science! Join us for what promises to be an engaging and insightful discussion.