The Applied Philosophy Research Laboratory of the Department of Philosophy at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens is dedicated to advancing philosophical research that addresses the most pressing ethical, social, political, scientific, and technological challenges of our time. Inspired by the enduring conviction that philosophy serves both the pursuit of truth and the common good, the Laboratory seeks to demonstrate the transformative power of critical thought in understanding and shaping an increasingly complex world.
Our mission is to cultivate an environment of academic excellence where philosophical inquiry flourishes through interdisciplinary collaboration, intellectual openness, and international engagement. By bringing together scholars from philosophy and related disciplines, the Laboratory promotes innovative research that bridges theoretical reflection with practical application, contributing to informed public discourse and responsible decision-making.
The Laboratory is committed to advancing Applied Philosophy as a vibrant field of research, with particular emphasis on ethics, bioethics, political philosophy, environmental philosophy, philosophy of technology, and the philosophical implications of scientific and technological innovation. Through research projects, conferences, seminars, lectures, educational initiatives, and scholarly publications, it fosters the production and dissemination of knowledge that responds to the evolving needs of contemporary societies.
Equally central to our mission is the cultivation of the next generation of scholars. The Laboratory provides a stimulating academic environment that encourages creativity, intellectual integrity, and international collaboration while supporting graduate students and early-career researchers in the pursuit of excellence. Through its publishing initiatives, including *Conatus – Journal of Philosophy* and the Applied Philosophy Research Laboratory Press, it contributes to the global exchange of ideas and promotes philosophical scholarship of the highest standards.
Building upon the distinguished intellectual heritage of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens while embracing the opportunities and responsibilities of the twenty-first century, the Laboratory aspires to be an internationally recognised centre of excellence in research, education, and public engagement. It envisions philosophy not merely as an academic discipline, but as an indispensable force for ethical reflection, democratic dialogue, and the advancement of a more humane, just, and sustainable future.