Topic
Recent scholarship in moral and political philosophy has shown renewed interest in moral progress. The idea of moral progress is that some changes in our societies and institutions can constitute nontrivial moral improvement. In other words, moral progress constitutes a change “that appears to be a transition to a state of affairs that is an improvement from a moral point of view” (Buchanan and Powell, 2018, p. 48). To illustrate, paradigmatic examples in the literature include the Suffragettes' movement and the recognition of women's rights, the legal abolition of slavery, the recognition of LGBTI+ rights, the establishment of democratic institutions, and greater concern for and better treatment of non-human animals.
Normative, descriptive, and causal questions arise in the philosophy of moral progress. An important normative question is how to distinguish moral progress from moral change. Moral change is any change that occurs which has moral characteristics. However, to recognize which moral changes constitute moral progress, we need to employ normative criteria. A portion of the debate in the philosophy of moral progress aims to identify these criteria. Some of the contenders in the literature are the expansion of rights, increases in well-being, the reduction of suffering, and the increasing recognition of moral equality.
If we are confident that moral progress occurs, an enticing causal question is how it happens. What are the mechanisms and drivers of these changes? Knowing the answers may help facilitate, protect, and advance progressive changes.
Additionally, how should moral progress be measured? What would be the indicators of progress, and on what timescale does it happen? Can moral progress be reversed, and how should we understand this resultant moral regress? What is the role of the individual vs. the role of social systems in accounting for moral progress? What are the differences between local and global moral progress, and how should we understand them?
The moral progress debate intersects with numerous other philosophical discussions in the fields of technology and AI, environmental ethics, animal rights, feminism, and global justice.
Our summer school will encompass debates about the normative criteria of moral progress, the empirical case for ongoing moral regress, the relationship between social identities and social norm change, and the relationship between technological and moral change. The summer school aims to provide a platform for students to present their work and receive feedback, as well as to engage with experts in a lively and productive discussion on these important issues.
Keynotes
Agnes Tam
University of Calgary
Explores how social groups and collective narration drive moral progress, and develops a new ethics of joint storytelling about who "we" are and can be.
Victor Kumar
Boston University
Researches the intersection of science and moral philosophy, with a focus on human evolution, moral progress, and the cultural roots of political tribalism.
John Danaher
University of Galway
Works in legal philosophy and the ethics of emerging technologies, exploring what AI, automation, and robotics mean for the future of work and human flourishing.
Apply
The programme is designed for a maximum of 20 PhD candidates, advanced MA students, or early career researchers working in the philosophy of moral progress and moral change broadly construed.
The attendance fee is €100. Our three-day programme will include one meal per day. Note that it is not necessary to present in order to attend.
Student Presentations
We have space for a limited number of student presentations (20-minute talk followed by a 10-minute Q&A).
To apply, send an anonymised abstract of up to 500 words to Mia Biturajac at mbiturajac@ifzg.hr.
In the body of your email, please include your name and your institution.
Submission deadline: 12 April 2026.
Zagreb Tips
Getting There
From the airport, take the bus line 290 to Kvaternikov trg or the Pleso Transport shuttle. Bolt and Uber are also available and are usually cheaper than local taxis.
Tram stop Zagrepčanka on Savska cesta (lines 4, 5, 14, 17) is just around the corner from the Institute. Tram stop Zagrepčanka on Ulica grada Vukovara (lines 2, 3, 5, 15) is right in front of the Institute. A 30-minute ticket costs €0.53, is validated on board, and can be bought on kiosks or via the Moj ZET app.
Accommodation
Chillout Hostel
A stylish and popular hostel in the city centre, a short tram ride from the Institute.
Hotel Orient
A three-star hotel near Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall, within walking distance of the Institute.
Food & Drink
Near the Institute
Near the City Centre
Sights
Zagreb is a compact, walkable city that rewards exploration. The historic Upper Town (Gornji grad) is the natural starting point: wander cobbled streets past the medieval Stone Gate, with a beloved shrine that, according to legend, survived the great fires of the 17th century, and the iconic St. Mark's Church, whose vivid tiled roof displays the coats of arms of Croatia and Zagreb. Climb the Lotrščak Tower for sweeping views over the city, and stroll the leafy Strossmayer Promenade, where locals have been taking their evening walks for over a century. Below, the Lower Town unfolds around a green horseshoe of parks and squares: Zrinjevac is perfect for a slow coffee, and the lively Dolac market, just off the main square, is unmissable on a weekday morning. Ban Jelačić Square is the beating heart of the city, good for orientation, people-watching, and meeting up at any hour. For museums, the Museum of Broken Relationships is a genuinely moving and internationally acclaimed institution, while the Croatian Museum of Naive Art offers a distinctive window into a uniquely Croatian artistic tradition. If you have a spare afternoon, the Mirogoj cemetery, one of the most architecturally beautiful in Europe, is a peaceful and striking escape, and the parkland at Maksimir offers greenery, walking paths, and Zagreb's modest but charming zoo.
Contact
This Summer School is supported by the Institute of Philosophy in Zagreb, and by the Croatian Science Foundation-funded projects Moral Progress: Individual and Collective, Artificial Intelligence, Autonomy and Justice, and Ethics and Social Challenges.
Organising committee: Mia Biturajac, Charlie Blunden, Petar Bodlović, Nino Kadić, Marco Tassella, Monika Zeba.
For further inquiries, please email mbiturajac@ifzg.hr.