The greatest challenges for a philo-sophical school of thought, as I un-derstand it, arise at the intersection between theory and experience. A key question in the study of values is how we deal with the temporal and cultural contexts, within which values such as truthfulness, dignity and justice become real. In view of the variability of these conditions, should we accept that values are largely relative and subjective? Or is it possible to specify some standards that can be applied in certain contexts? For example: What does “ageing with dignity” mean in a European, African or Asian country?
Professor Rinofner-Kreidl’s research work focuses on the branch of philosophy known as phenome-nology. She investigates how feelings, desires, actions and cognition relate to objects, and how claims to reality are warranted. This requires analysis of the cognitive content, physical embodiment and value connotation of the underlying types of experiences, and enquiry into various ways in which in-tentions are carried out. Developing our understanding about the microstructure of human experi-ences is also of practical significance for central societal themes such as globalisation, social conflict and fake news.