Royal Institute of Philosophy Annual Symposium 2026: The Problem of Other Minds

The Royal Institute of Philosophy’s 2026 Annual Symposium explores a classic philosophical question: can we ever know what is on someone else’s mind, or are the minds of others forever closed to us? The event invites audiences to think about the relationship between outward behaviour and the inner states it may reveal, and whether this is a problem of evidence, human nature, or both.

The discussion brings together Professor Anil Gomes, Professor Thomas Stern and Professor Vasu Reddy, with Ritula Shah chairing the symposium. Together they will examine the Problem of Other Minds from different philosophical and psychological perspectives, making the event suitable for anyone interested in philosophy, the mind, and how we understand one another in everyday life.