Organisers: The Department of Sociology, the Department of Philosophy, Åbo Akademi University; The Westermarck Society

The aim of this symposium is to explore the current state of Westermarck scholarship, with a focus on Westermarck’s biography and the intellectual background of his contributions to social science and philosophy. The symposium ends with the book launch of a fresh history of the Westermarck Society.

Åbo Akademi University, Wednesday 26 February 2025

Stora auditoriet ASA A120 (Fänriksgatan 3A)

(Stora auditoriet is located near the main entrance to ASA, on the ground floor.)

11.00 Opening Remarks, from Organisers

11.15 – 12.15 David Shankland: Westermarck and his place in social anthropology

12.15 Lunch

13.15 – 14.00 Jani Sinokki: Westermark on normative attitudes

14.00 – 14.45 Otto Pipatti: Westermarck’s evolutionary approach from a contemporary perspective

14.45 – 15.00 Coffee

15.00 – 15.45 Julia Dahlberg: Westermarck and the history of evolutionary ideas in Finland

15.45 – 16. 30 Olli Lagerspetz: The search for the ’Origin of Morality’ as a precursor to early Social Science

16.30 – 17. 15 Mikko Lagerspetz: Presentation of the freshly published History of the Westermarck Society