Cardiff hosts international philosophy conference on speech and society

Philosophers at Cardiff University welcomed leading international scholars to a major conference exploring the social, political, ethical and aesthetic dimensions of language.

Held in June, Speech and Society focused on the “social turn” in philosophy of language, examining how language shapes everyday life, public debate and wider society.

Across two days, speakers discussed topics including online communication, hate speech, misinformation, artificial intelligence, sexual violence and political polarisation.

The conference was organised by Cardiff’s Philosophy of Language group, whose work is helping to strengthen the University’s reputation in this growing area of philosophy.

The event featured keynote lectures from two internationally recognised scholars. Professor Emma Borg, of the Institute of Philosophy at the School of Advanced Study, University of London, spoke about the role of language in healthcare, including how clinical staff and patients understand and communicate pain.

Professor Jennifer Saul, of the University of Waterloo and the University of St Andrews, addressed the Vanderbilt Report on the condition of the Humanities and Social Sciences. Her lecture examined the language used in the context of political pressures in the United States around research and teaching on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Professor Saul said: “Social Philosophy of Language is one of the most important recent developments in Philosophy, growing in the last decade from a minority interest to a central and much sought-after area of the subject.

“Cardiff was already at the forefront of this, with the strongest social philosophy of language team in the world: Daisy Dixon, Sarah Fisher, Anna Klieber, and Emilia Wilson.

“This conference will have an enormous impact on the field, as the largest ever gathering of experts in this area.”

Professor Borg added: “This event provided an unparalleled opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with established and emerging scholars, from the UK, Europe, and beyond, all working on topics of real social importance.

“I suspect it will be remembered as a landmark event in social and political philosophy of language and will no doubt help to shape both the future development of the field and its impact on wider society.”

Wales and the Welsh language were central to the programme. A roundtable chaired by Cardiff academic Dr Huw Williams explored language politics and revitalisation, with contributions from former research student Dr Owain Rhys Lewis and current doctoral student Heledd Melangell.

The conference followed a celebratory event marking the Cardiff launch of Depraved, the new book by Cardiff philosopher Dr Daisy Dixon, published by Faber & Faber. Described by the Daily Telegraph as a “zesty new history of ‘dangerous art’”, the book showcases Dr Dixon’s research on the moral impact of artworks.

The relationship between language, politics and art was also explored during the conference, including in a contribution from Chris Hom, who travelled from Texas to speak on art as propaganda.

He described the conference as “an absolutely fantastic event,” and said its session on the political implications of the Welsh language was “particularly intriguing and impactful.”