Jerôme Schickschneit

Research Assistant: June 2023 – October 2024

Jerôme is an interdisciplinary academic pursuing a Master’s in Philosophy, with a background in sociology and social work, as well as experience as a freelance artist specializing in dance, theatre, and performance art. His academic interests span epistemology, ontology, philosophy of mind, philosophy of culture, aesthetics, ethics, and the social sciences. His current research focuses on four main areas: (i) the phenomenon of ‘transformative experience’ and its impact on theories of the self; (ii) ontological pluralism and new realism; (iii) a critical analysis of subjectivity and intersubjectivity in contemporary psychology; and (iv) advocating for the recognition of ‘childhood’ as a significant topic in (theoretical) philosophy.

IIn his Master's thesis, Jerôme develops a phenomenological critique of the main psychological positions in the current 'theory of mind' debate, which addresses issues related to other minds, social cognition and social understanding. He critiques the two dominant accounts - 'theory theory' and 'simulation theory' - arguing that their heavy reliance on inferential and analogical reasoning neglects the crucial role of empathy and embodied emotion. Jerôme proposes an alternative approach based on insights from classical phenomenologists such as Husserl and Stein, as well as contemporary scholars such as Zahavi, Gallagher and Fuchs.