On November 7, the IV Kazakhstan Philosophical Congress was held in Almaty under the theme “Philosophy of Kazakhstan’s Society: Value Orientations and Development Prospects.” The major scientific forum brought together leading scholars from Kazakhstan and abroad, representatives of government bodies, international and national philosophical societies, heads of research organizations and higher education institutions, as well as members of the expert community.

Dinara Shcheglova, Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, attended the Congress and read out a welcome letter from Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In his address, the Minister emphasized the growing role of philosophy amid contemporary global transformations.

“In the context of large-scale technological, social, and cultural changes, philosophical reflection on ongoing processes makes it possible to identify directions for future development, assess the consequences of decisions made, and preserve the humanistic foundations of scientific progress. Today, strengthening the relationship between philosophy, science, education, and modern technologies is of particular importance. I am confident that the IV Kazakhstan Philosophical Congress will contribute to reflecting on the achievements of Kazakhstani philosophy, identifying prospects for its further development, and enhancing the role of philosophical knowledge in addressing the challenges facing society,” the Minister’s welcome letter stated.

The main objective of the Congress was to examine the role of philosophy in the context of global transformations and to determine the significance of Kazakhstani and global philosophical thought in shaping the spiritual, moral, and value orientations of contemporary Kazakhstani society.

During the scientific forum, participants discussed pressing issues of social development amid global geopolitical, technological, and sociocultural changes. Particular attention was paid to national identity, social justice, individual responsibility, and the impact of artificial intelligence and digital technologies on public consciousness.

The central event of the Congress was a plenary session devoted to the current state and future prospects of philosophical scholarship. The session explored the role of philosophy in understanding contemporary social processes, preserving national values, and strengthening society’s intellectual potential.

In addition, four thematic platforms were organized as part of the Congress: the session “The Culture of Philosophical Thinking and Its Place in the Education System,” the session “Turkic Philosophy,” a meeting of editors of philosophical journals, and the discussion platform “Steppe Philosophy.”

The thematic sessions addressed the improvement of philosophical education, the development of a culture of critical thinking, the study of the historical and philosophical heritage of Turkic peoples, and the distinctive features of steppe philosophy.

Discussions also covered the relationship between philosophy, science, and modern technologies, the development of academic publications, the expansion of scholarly communication, and international cooperation. The scientific discussions further explored current areas of political and legal philosophy, including justice, freedom, human rights, and relations between the state and civil society.

The IV Kazakhstan Philosophical Congress provided representatives of the national and international academic communities with an opportunity to exchange experiences, discuss priority areas of philosophical research, and strengthen scholarly ties.

The forum served as an important platform for advancing philosophical scholarship in Kazakhstan, studying the nation’s intellectual heritage, supporting young researchers, and promoting scholarly reflection on society’s value orientations.