Olena Komar

Olena Komar – Philosophy

I am a Ukrainian philosopher, associate professor and hold a PhD in philosophy. I am especially interested in social epistemology, philosophy of mind, and cognitive science. I also lecture on the philosophy and methodology of science, philosophy of artificial intelligence, and neurophilosophy.

I have a dual affiliation with a Ukrainian and a German university. My main place of work is the Department of Philosophy and Methodology of Science at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.

Currently, I am a fellow at the RTG ‘Situated Cognition’. You can find more information on the RTG here.

In 2023, I received a grant from the Philipp Schwarz Initiative of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and am working as a researcher at the Institute of Philosophy at the University of Osnabrück (Germany).
Previously, I have done research internships at the Institute Vienna Circle (IVC) of the University of Vienna (Austria) under the supervision of Prof. Martin Kusch and at the Ruhr-University of Bochum (Germany) under the supervision of Prof. Albert Newen.

Since 2022, I have been researching the epistemological aspects of propaganda and the ethics of beliefs, in particular, the phenomenon of the persistence of “bad beliefs” (examples of which include conspiracy theories, belief in propaganda theses, fake news) and the role of social echo chambers in shaping notions of moral responsibility.

Education

  • PhD in Philosophy (2004) Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
  • M.A. in Philosophy (2000) Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv

Employment

  • June 2023 to June 2025 – Osnabrück University, research fellow
  • April 2022 to Oktober 2022 – Institute Vienna Circle, University of Vienna, visiting researcher
  • 2007 till now – Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Department of Philosophy and Methodology of Science, Associate Professor
  • 2018 to 2022 – Cultural Project (Educational Station, Kyiv, Ukraine), lecturer, educational expert
  • 2004 to 2005 – International Solomon University, Kyiv, Ukraine, Associate Professor (part-time)
  • 2000 to 2007 – Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Department of Philosophy and Methodology of Science, Assistant Professor
  • 2000 to 2004 – Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Department of Theoretical and Practical Philosophy, postgraduate student