LIBORI SUMMER SCHOOL 2025 

THE EARLY WORKS OF ÉMILIE DU CHÂTELET
CENTER FOR THE HISTORY OF WOMEN PHILOSOPHERS AND SCIENTISTS
Paderborn University| All-day event in-person and hybrid

8 – 12 September 2025

We are excited to announce the Libori Summer School 2025, dedicated to exploring the early works of Émilie Du Châtelet, one of the most influential women in the history of philosophy and science.

Led by Prof. Dr. Ruth Edith Hagengruber and organized by Dr. Jil Muller with the  support of Felix Grewe the  Summer School invites Master’s and PhD students from around the world to engage in a collaborative, in-depth exploration of Du Châtelet’s early writings and intellectual legacy.

This year’s program offers a rare opportunity to engage directly with the first digital and historical-critical edition of Du Châtelet’s early manuscripts—produced in collaboration with the National Library of Russia, Saint Petersburg. These texts, rich with philosophical insight and annotated by Du Châtelet herself, reveal how her thought shaped and was shaped by the major metaphysical debates of her time.

Are you passionate about early modern philosophy?

Curious about Enlightenment debates on liberty and free will? Eager to explore Du Châtelet’s interpretation of Mandeville’s ethics? Interested in the intersections of natural philosophy and sciences, and in the exploration of Du Châtelet’s thoughts about Newtons’ theory of light and colors?

The Center for the History of Women Philosophers and Scientists warmly invites applications to its 2025 Libori Summer School—a weeklong immersion into the groundbreaking philosophical and scientific work of Émilie Du Châtelet, one of the Enlightenment’s most interesting intellects.

Application deadline: July 15, 2025

Exams (ETCS credits) only possible with in-person participation. 

Regular registration for hybrid participation without ECTS-Credits will follow soon.

Join a vibrant international community of Master and PhD students to study and discuss key themes in Du Châtelet’s early writings, including:

• Monday, 8 September 2025: The nature of liberty and free will: Chapter 5 On Liberty
• Tuesday, 9 September 2025: Enlightenment perspectives on ethics and moral theory: Commentary on Mandeville’s Fable of the Bees
• Wednesday, 10 September 2025: The foundations of natural philosophy: Chapter 4 On the Formation of Colours
• Thursday, 11 September 2025: On language and ontology: chapter 6 On Grammar
• Friday, 12 September 2025: Treatise on Metaphysics;

This year’s program offers a rare opportunity to engage directly with the first digital and historical-critical edition of Du Châtelet’s early manuscripts—produced in collaboration with the National Library of Russia, Saint Petersburg. These texts, rich with philosophical insight and annotated by Du Châtelet herself, reveal how her thought shaped and was shaped by the major metaphysical debates of her time.

What to Expect:

• Expert-led sessions on Du Châtelet’s early works, including her writings on liberty, metaphysics, natural philosophy and ethics
• Keynote-Sessions by renowned scholars: Linda Gardiner, Bryce Gessell, Ruth. E Hagengruber, Julia Jorati, Ulla Kölving, Pedro Pricladnitzky, Ana Rodrigues and much more.
• Hands-on access to digital manuscript editions
• Student-led presentations and workshops in a collaborative, supportive atmosphere
• Opportunities for critical discussion, networking, and engagement with leading scholars

Application Details:

We welcome applications from Master and doctoral students with a keen interest in early modern philosophy, Enlightenment thought, or the history of science. To apply, please submit:

• An updated CV (max. 1 pages)
• A committed analysis of  1000 words on at least one of the above mentioned topics (Liberty /Mandeville / Colours / Grammar / Metaphysics). This paper will be discussed during the Libori Summer school’s  students session.

Please submit your documents via our mail:
contact@historyofwomenphilosophers.org

Important Notes:

• Application deadline: July 15, 2025
• Working knowledge of English is essential; some French is helpful
• Strong background in early modern philosophy is expected
•  student contributions include 20-minute talks, poster sessions, lightning talks, or collaborative presentations

This webpage will be permanently updated, more information on program, scholars and venue will follow soon.