CFP: The Challenges of Hostile Epistemology: Democracy, Media, and Liberal Society
Call for Papers (CFP)
The Challenges of Hostile Epistemology
June 18–19, 2026
Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
University of Rijeka, Croatia
The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Rijeka announces the Call for Papers for the international conference The Challenges of Hostile Epistemology, which will take place on June 18–19, 2026, in Rijeka, Croatia. The conference is organized within the EDDD project (Epistemic Democracy in the Digital Era), an HRZZ-funded research project.
Conference Venue
Department of Philosophy
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
University of Rijeka
Rijeka, Croatia
Topic Areas
- Epistemology
- Social and Political Philosophy
Conference Description
The conference addresses the increasingly urgent issue of hostile epistemology in contemporary political and social life. It brings together scholars working in social and political epistemology, political philosophy, democratic theory, and related areas, with a special focus on the impact of digital technologies on knowledge formation and belief revision.
The concept of “hostile epistemology” refers to epistemic environments that systematically exploit cognitive biases, entrenched prejudices, and forms of fallacious reasoning. Such environments are often shaped by contemporary media ecosystems, social networks, and political discourse, which increasingly influence how individuals understand democratic principles, Enlightenment values, and expert knowledge.
The conference aims to provide a comprehensive philosophical analysis of these developments, as well as their consequences for democratic societies and epistemic agency, including concerns about declining attention, literacy, and critical understanding.
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
We invite submissions from doctoral candidates and established scholars. Please send a 200-word abstract of your presentation to kristinalb@uniri.hr by May 15, 2026.
Applicants will be notified of acceptance by May 25, 2026.
Participation and Practical Information
Participation in the conference is free of charge. The organizers will provide coffee breaks. Assistance with travel and accommodation arrangements can be offered if needed.
Participants are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, and meals. Affordable catering options are available at the University of Rijeka Student Center.
Organizing Committee
Ivan Cerovac
Kristina Lekić-Barunčić
Hana Samaržija