
New perspectives
on theoretical equivalence
SPEAKERS
ABOUT
Philosophers and logicians have long inquired under which conditions two theories should count as theoretically equivalent, proposing a plethora of syntactic and model-theoretic criteria (e.g., definitional equivalence, bi-interpretability, categorial equivalence and so on). In recent years, this topic has gained renewed popularity thanks to various debates across philosophy. Among these, some notable examples are the equivalence between potentialist and actualist frameworks, and the lifting of type distinctions in higher-order metaphysics. This workshop aims to take stock of these developments, clarify the landscape of competing notions of theoretical equivalence, and explore their implications for contemporary philosophy of science and mathematics. The event will bring together the team of C-FORS members actively working on the topic and three external leading experts in the field, whose contributions have significantly shaped the debate over the past decade.
TOPICS
Topics may include:
- How much can we rely on formal criteria to assess theoretical equivalence without taking into account how linguistic expressions are interpreted?
- Do formal criteria match an informal and pre-theoretical notion of theoretical equivalence (e.g., Church-Turing Thesis)?
- How should we handle theoretical equivalence outside classical first-orderh theories?
- Should we be monists or pluralist on theoretical equivalence?
- How shall we assess the equivalence of modal and non-modal formal theories?
- How shall we assess the equivalence of higher-order and first-order theories?
SCHEDULE
Monday 22nd (GMH 652)
TBA
Tuesday 23rd (GMH 652)
TBA
ATTENDANCE
Attendance is free, but in person only.
To register please fill the form below.
Deadline for registration: 30 April 2026.
VENUE
The conference takes place at the University of Oslo, Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas, situated in Blindern Campus, building: Geor Morgenstiernes hus.
The conference room is GMH 652. This is the conference room situated at the 6th floor of the department, at the end of the corridor.
How to get to Blindern (Link 1/Link 2)
- Tram: line 17 and 18 towards Rikshospitalet, Stop at Universitetet Blindern (or John Colletts Plass in case of road works).
- Metro (T Bane): line 4 (Vestli via Storo), 5 (Ringen via Storo) 5 (Sognsvann), Stop at Blindern.
ORGANIZERS: Alessandro Giglia, Øystein Linnebo, Davide Sutto.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT






