The Challenges of Hostile Epistemology: Democracy, Media, and Liberal Society

Date and Venue

June 18 – June 19, 2026

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Rijeka

Details

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Rijeka is organizing the thematically urgent and engaged “The Challenges of Hostile Epistemology” conference. This conference is aa one-time event gathering prominent scholars specialized in social and political epistemology, political philosophy, the epistemology of democracy, and the many intersections between philosophy and novel technologies. Motivated by recent transformations to how we form, revise, and reject politically pertinent beliefs about social phenomena and humanist values, this conference examines the hostile epistemology of contemporary politics. The conference derives its title from the concept of “hostile” epistemic environments, which innately and systematically exploit our cognitive vulnerabilities, entrenched prejudice, and fallacious thinking. This conference thus analyzes how the increasingly adversarial structure of media, social networking, and political discourse shapes the understanding of democratic principles, enlightenment values, and expert knowledge. In addressing the epistemic features of such environments and their concrete political consequences, the conference endeavors to provide a comprehensive and timely account of contemporary political epistemics. The subject also encourages investigations of hostile epistemology that center on the changes to epistemic agents, who are exhibiting declining degrees of literacy, focus, and genuine comprehension.

Keynote Speakers

Robert B. Talisse (Vanderbilt University): "The Real Problem of Civility"

Cristopher Bret Ranalli (VU Amsterdam): "Liberalism and the Many Faces of Conspiracy Theorizing"

Call for Abstracts

Scholars (doctoral students and above) interested in partaking in the conference must send a 200-word abstract of their lectures to [email protected] by May 15, 2026. The organizers will inform applicants whether their participation has been accepted by May 25, 2026. 

Further Information for Participants

Participation in the conference is free of charge. The organizers will supply coffee breaks free of charge and will, if required, assist participants in scheduling their travel and accommodation. Although participants are responsible for their own accommodation, travel, and catering, the University of Rijeka offers affordable lunches and dinners at the Student Center.

Organizational Board

Ivan Cerovac, Kristina Lekić-Barunčić, Hana Samaržija