MBR026_ROME - MODEL-BASED REASONING: EPISTEMOLOGY, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, COGNITIVE SCIENCE

Proceedings will be published by Springer
Series "SAPERE" http://www.springer.com/series/10087
Selected technical papers will be published in special issues of the
Logic Journal of the IGPL

*************************************************************

                     MODEL-BASED REASONING
   EPISTEMOLOGY, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, COGNITIVE SCIENCE

      MBR026_ROME (Tenth International MBR Conference)

     Chairs: Selene Arfini, Emiliano Ippoliti, Lorenzo Magnani

               June 17-19, 2026 - Rome, Italy

                           Venue:
                   Department of Philosophy
                 Sapienza University of Rome
              Villa Mirafiori - Via Carlo Fea 2,
                        00161 Roma
                     Rooms: II, VI, X

**************************************************************

KEY DATES

Deadline for extended abstract submissions: February 1, 2026
Notification of acceptance: February 20, 2026
Early registration deadline (discounted rate): March 10, 2026
Late registration deadline: before April 15, 2026
Conference dates: June 17-19, 2026
Final paper submission deadline: September 30, 2026

CONGRESS WEBSITE: https://mbr026.com/

MBR COMMUNITY WEBSITE
http://www-9.unipv.it/webphilos_lab/wordpress/index.php/research/mbr-community/   INVITED SPEAKERS
Sorin Bangu - University of Bergen
Marta Bertolaso - University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome
Axel Gelfert - Technische Universität, Berlin
James Ladyman - University of Bristol
Lorenzo Magnani - University of Pavia
Patricia Palacios - University of Salzburg
Demetris Portides - University of Cyprus
Viola Schiaffonati - Politecnico di Milano


SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE: https://mbr026.com/scientific-committee/
********************************************************************************


Organization:
- Department of Philosophy, Sapienza University of Rome
- Department of Humanities, Philosophy Section, University of Pavia
Under the patronage of the Italian Society of Logic and Philosophy of
Science (SILFS)

PROGRAM

The conference will investigate the logical, epistemological, and
cognitive dimensions of modeling practices across science, technology
(with particular attention to AI), and cognitive science. This includes
both logical and computational approaches to modeling. We welcome
submissions that analyze model-based reasoning from a variety of
perspectives: philosophical, logical, epistemological, historical,
sociological, psychological, or computational. Additionally, the
conference will address how model-based reasoning contributes to the
development and enhancement of human cognitive abilities, whether
mental, embodied, hybrid, or tool-assisted.

The conference will only be in person.

SUBMISSION OF EXTENDED ABSTRACTS AND SYMPOSIA PROPOSALS

Presentation Proposals
To participate in the conference, authors must submit a 1000-1500 word
extended abstract by February 1, 2026 in .pdf format.
A 300-word summary for the conference booklet and website must also be
included.
Authors should submit the abstracts using this form:
https://forms.gle/2RiHxv2ezPS91Ku88

Symposia Proposals
Proposals for symposia, typically involving 3-4-5 participants, should
be submitted as a 2-page .pdf document by by February 1, 2026 at this
link: https://forms.gle/2RiHxv2ezPS91Ku88

All extended abstracts will undergo peer review. The final structure of
the conference will be determined following the review process.
Following the conference, authors of accepted proposals may submit a
complete manuscript for the proceedings.

PROCEEDINGS

Submitted papers must be original, unpublished, and written in English.
Manuscripts should be prepared using either LaTeX (with a preference for
BibTeX for references) or Microsoft Word, and should not exceed 20 pages
in length.
Accepted papers will be published in the Springer SAPERE series
(https://www.springer.com/series/10087).
In addition, a selection of technical papers will be considered, pending
further peer review, for inclusion in one or two special issues of The
Logic Journal of IGPL (OUP), which have previously hosted contributions
from past MBR conferences (MBR98, MBR01, MBR04, MBR06_CHINA,
MBR09_BRAZIL, MBR015_ITALY, MBR018_SPAIN, MBR023_ROME).

The final deadline for submission is September 30th, 2026. Please send
the files to Matteo Costa, [email protected]

RELEVANT RESEARCH AREAS

We welcome contributions addressing topics such as:
- General theoretical and cognitive issues in model-based reasoning
- Models as fictions, distortions, credible worlds
- Creative reasoning
- Models and games of make-believe
- Ontology of models
- Affordances, artifacts, and model-based reasoning
- Brain, neuroscience, and model-based reasoning
- Abduction
- Logical analyses related to model-based reasoning
- Inferences, interaction and duality in logic and language
- Visual, spatial, imagistic modeling and reasoning
- Simulative modeling
- Surrogative reasoning
- The role of diagrammatic reasoning
- Computational models of visual and simulative reasoning
- Causal and counterfactual reasoning in model construction
- Visual analogy
- Thought experiments
- Manipulative reasoning
- Distributed model-based reasoning
- Distributed cognition, embodiment, and model-based reasoning
- Models of rationality and inference patterns in decision making
- Model-based reasoning in scientific discovery and conceptual change
- Model-based reasoning and ethics
- Model-based reasoning and finance
- Model-based reasoning and economics
- Model-based reasoning and history of philosophy
- Model-based reasoning and semiotics
- Model-based reasoning in scientific explanation
- Model-based medical diagnosis
- Model-based reasoning in engineering and robotics
- Model-based reasoning and technological artifacts
- Model-based reasoning and knowledge management
- Model-based reasoning and information technology
- Model-based reasoning and AI
- Model-based reasoning and learning
- Model-based reasoning and language
- The role of models in scientific and technological thinking

FEES AND REGISTRATION

The registration fee covers participation in all MBR conference sessions
and includes access to the social dinner.

Early Registration (before March 10, 2026):
* Standard: euro 250
* PhD students and independent researchers: euro 150
* Bachelor's and Master's degree students: euro 60

Late Registration (after March 10, 2026):
* Standard: euro 300
* PhD students and independent researchers: euro 200
* Bachelor's and Master's degree students: euro 75

Additional Options:
* One-day attendance: euro 100
* Social dinner only: euro 45

Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations must be submitted in writing. An administrative fee of 75
euros will be applied to cancellations made before May 22, 2026. No
refunds will be issued for cancellations received after that date.

Payment Methods:
Payments can be made via credit card or bank transfer upon registration
through the official conference website.
Every participant must complete the form at this link to register for
the conference: https://forms.gle/xfqxA396WqBdk1iQ6

CHAIRS
- Selene Arfini
Department of Humanities - Philosophy Section, University of Pavia
Piazza Botta 6, 27100 Pavia, ITALY
Email: [email protected]

- Emiliano Ippoliti
Department of Philosophy, Sapienza University of Rome
Via Carlo Fea 2, 00161 Rome, ITALY
Email: [email protected]

- Lorenzo Magnani
Director, Computational Philosophy Laboratory
http://www-9.unipv.it/webphilos_lab/wordpress/
Department of Humanities - Philosophy Section, University of Pavia
Piazza Botta 6, 27100 Pavia, ITALY
Email: [email protected]

LOCAL ORGANIZATION

Matteo Costa [email protected]
Emiliano Ippoliti [email protected]

HOW TO GET TO Villa Mirafiori (Department of Philosophy, Sapienza
University of Rome)

  From Fiumicino Airport (Leonardo da Vinci):
Take the Leonardo Express train to Roma Termini (about 35 minutes). Once
at Termini Station, follow the directions above to reach Villa Mirafiori
via bus 90.

  From Termini Station:
Head to Piazza dei Cinquecento and board bus number 90 in the direction
of "Labia." Ride for four stops and get off at "Nomentana/XXI Aprile."
The journey takes approximately 15 minutes.

PREVIOUS MBR CONFERENCES

The conference continues the themes and scholarly traditions established
by the previous nine editions of the MBR (Model-Based Reasoning)
conference series:

* Model-Based Reasoning in Scientific Discovery (MBR'98), Pavia, Italy
* Model-Based Reasoning: Scientific Discovery, Technological Innovation,
and Values (MBR'01), Pavia Italy
* Model-Based Reasoning in Science and Engineering: Abduction,
Visualization, and Simulation (MBR'04), Pavia, Italy
* Model-Based Reasoning in Science and Medicine (MBR06_CHINA),
Guangzhou, P. R. China
* Model-Based Reasoning in Science and Technology: Abduction, Logic, and
Computational Discovery (MBR09_BRAZIL), Campinas, Brazil
* Model-Based Reasoning in Science and Technology: Theoretical and
Cognitive Issues (MBR12_ITALY), Sestri Levante, Italy
* Model-Based Reasoning in Science and Technology: Models and Inferences
Logical, Epistemological, and Cognitive Issues (MBR15_ITALY), Sestri
Levante, Italy
* Model-Based Reasoning in Science and Technology: Inferential Models
for Logic, Language, Cognition, and Computation (MBR018_SPAIN), Seville,
Spain
* Model-Based Reasoning in Science and Technology: Inferences & Models
in Science, Logic, Language, and Technology (MBR023_ROME), Rome, Italy


The proceedings from these conferences have been published in the
following volumes:

- L. Magnani, N. J. Nersessian, and P. Thagard (eds.) (1999),
Model-Based Reasoning in Scientific Discovery, Kluwer Academic/Plenum
Publishers, New York. http://www.wkap.nl/prod/b/0-306-46292-3 (Chinese
edition, translated and edited by Q. Yu and T. Wang, China Science and
Technology Press, Beijing, 2000).
- L. Magnani and N. J. Nersessian (eds.) (2002), Model-Based Reasoning.
Science, Technology, Values, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New
York. http://www.wkap.nl/prod/b/0-306-47244-9
- L. Magnani, N. J. Nersessian, and C. Pizzi (eds.) (2002), Logical and
Computational Aspects of Model-Based Reasoning, Kluwer Academic,
Dordrecht. http://www.wkap.nl/prod/b/1-4020-0791-4
- P. Li, X. Chen, Z. Zhang, and H. Zhang (eds.)(2004), Science,
Cognition, and Consciousness, JiangXi People's Press, Nanchang, China.
- L. Magnani and Li. Ping (eds.) (2006), Philosophical Investigations
from a Perspective of Cognition, Guangdong People's Publishing House,
Guangzhou, (published in Chinese).
- L. Magnani (2006) (ed.), Model-Based Reasoning in Science and
Engineering. Cognitive Science, Epistemology, Logic, College
Publications, London.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Model-Based-Reasoning-Science-Engineering/dp/1904987230
- L. Magnani and P. Li (eds.) (2007), Model-Based Reasoning in Science,
Technology, and Medicine, Series "Studies in Computational
Intelligence", Vol. 64, Springer, Berlin/New York.
http://www.springer.com/engineering/book/978-3-540-71985-4
- L. Magnani, W. Carnielli, C. Pizzi (eds.) (2010) Model-Based Reasoning
in Science and Technology Abduction, Logic, and Computational Discovery,
Series "Studies in Computational Intelligence", Vol. 314, Springer,
Heidelberg/Berlin. http://www.springer.com/us/book/9783642152221
- L. Magnani (ed.) (2014) Model-Based Reasoning in Science and
Technology. Theoretical and Cognitive Issues, Series "Sapere", Vol. 8,
Springer, Heidelberg/Berlin. http://www.springer.com/us/book/9783642374272
- L. Magnani and C. Casadio (eds.) (2016), Model-Based Reasoning in
Science and Technology. Logical, Epistemological, and Cognitive Issues,
Springer, Switzerland, Series "Sapere"
http://www.springer.com/us/book/9783319389820
- A. Nepomuceno, L. Magnani, F. Salguero, C. Bar s and M. Fontaine
(eds.) (2019), Model-Based Reasoning in Science and Technology -
Inferential Models for Logic, Language, Cognition and Computation,
Springer, Cham, Switzerland.
- E. Ippoliti, S. Arfini, L. Magnani (eds) (2024). Model-Based
Reasoning, Abductive Cognition, Creativity. Springer, Cham.

A selection of papers from previous MBR conferences has appeared in
esteemed international journals, including Philosophia, Foundations of
Science, and the Logic Journal of the IGPL.

Recent handbooks reflecting the research developed within the MBR
community include:
- L. Magnani, T. Bertolotti (eds.) (2017) Springer Handbook of
Model-Based Science, Springer, Switzerland
http://www.springer.com/us/book/9783319305257

L. Magnani (ed.) (2022)  Handbook of abductive cognition , Springer,
Switzerland
(https://link.springer.com/referencework/10.1007/978-3-030-68436-5).