Dear All,
The next Perspectives on Science Seminar is organized together with the Helsinki Philosophy Colloquium, where Catarina Dutilh Novaes (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) will give a talk titled “Reason and Power in Argumentation: The Case of Conspiracy Theories”.
The seminar will take place in Metsätalo room 7 from 16:15 to 17:45 on Monday, March 16, 2026. Please note the unusual time and room. This seminar is an in-person only event!
Perspectives on Science is a research seminar that brings together experts from the philosophy of science and several fields of science studies. It is organized by TINT – Centre for Philosophy of Social Science at the University of Helsinki. More information about the seminar can be found on the TINT webpage https://tint.helsinki.fi.
What: “Reason and Power in Argumentation: The Case of Conspiracy Theories” by Catarina Dutilh Novaes
When: Monday 16.03.2026, from 4 to 6 pm (EEST, Helsinki time). Please note the unusual time!
Where: Metsätalo room 7. In-person only, no livestream. Please note the unusual room as well!
Abstract:
“Reason and Power in Argumentation: The Case of Conspiracy Theories”
In my forthcoming book Reason and Power in Argumentation (CUP, 2026), I discuss the limits of rational discourse and the many ways in which, in argumentative exchanges, the “power of reason” is constrained, undercut and neutralized by other types of power: strategic, economic, political, epistemic, social, emotional, etc. One of the domains in which the limits of rational discourse seem to emerge pertains to so-called “conspiracy theories”: prima facie, conspiratorial beliefs seem to be immune to rational (counter-)argumentation, evidence, or factual debunking. In this talk, I argue against this characterization of conspiratorial beliefs. I contend that overly “rationalistic” approaches to conspiratorial beliefs fail to take into account the role of epistemic environments in the formation of conspiratorial beliefs, and fail to do justice to the affective dimension of enchantment that (many) conspiracy narratives bring along with them. Adopters of conspiratorial beliefs are usually not simply “irrationally” resisting counter-evidence; after all, real conspiracies do occur! Rather, they are balancing counter-evidence against the conflicting higher-order evidence provided by their epistemic environments, and looking not only for “cold facts” but also for enchanting narratives to make sense of their lived experiences. The proposed interpretation of conspiratorial beliefs points in the direction of different types of interventions, in cases where such beliefs can have negative consequences (both for individuals and societies). Indeed, some conspiracy theories pose a significant threat to societies and democratic institutions, which can only be addressed if the underlying phenomena are properly understood.
Bio:
Catarina Dutilh Novaes is Professor of Philosophy and University Research Chair at VU Amsterdam. She is also President of the European Philosophy of Science Association (EPSA) and Member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW).
If you have any questions about the seminar, do not hesitate to contact mirja-leena.zgurskaya@helsinki.fi.
All are warmly welcome!