CfAbs: Truth and facts in the humanities and inthe sciences Bologna (Italy)

The Department of Philosophy and Communication Studies of the Alma Mater Studiorum -University of Bologna (Italy), in collaboration with other Departments of the University of Bologna (BIGeA, DIFA, DIMES, DSG, FICLIT, PSI), organizes a three-day postgraduate workshop on the notions of truth and fact(s), as conceived from different disciplinary perspectives in the humanities and in the sciences (astronomy, biology, history, law studies, literature, medicine, philosophy, psychology and semiotics).

This interdisciplinary initiative will address a number of interrelated theoretical issues crucial for the acquisition and/or the construction of reliable knowledge across the sciences and the social life.

The aim of the workshop is to bring together those working on the notions of truth and fact(s) to afford a timely snapshot of an important and emerging area of reflection. Questions to be tackled include, but are not restricted to: 

* Which notions of truth/fact(s) drive scientific research in different disciplines?

* Are the ‘truths’ of different disciplines true in different ways or is there just one way for a proposition to be true (or false)? 

* How can different views on truth and facts affect the construction of scientific knowledge, its outcomes, and different modes of dissemination? 

* How can analyses of analogies and differences between various perspectives on facts and truth help to shed light on peculiarities, relationships, and/or integrations between different scientific fields? 

* Which cognitive mechanisms are involved in detecting deception and concealed information?

The workshop will take place from 1 to 3 July 2019 at the University of Bologna. Three plenary lectures, given by leading experts in a range of disciplines, will be scheduled in the morning. In the afternoon, grad students and early career researchers (up to 3 years from completion of PhD) will have the chance to present their own research in order to discuss it and get feedback from experts on the topic.

Keynote speakers:

* Prof. Göran Sonesson (Lund) 

* Prof. Achille Varzi (Columbia) 

* Prof. Bruno Verschuere (UVA) 

Submissions from grad students and early career researchers (up to 3 years from completion of PhD) in any discipline are welcome.

Please submit a short abstract of 100 to 150 words and a long abstract of no more than 1,000 words(references included). Submissions may be in .pdf, .docx or .doc format.

All abstracts should be prepared for blind review. Include with each submission a separate document containing the author’s name, institution, e-mail address, and paper title. All submissions should also include a personal statement of no more than 500 words and a CV of no more than 2,000 words. 

All submissions should be sent to giorgio.volpe@unibo.it with subject heading, ‘TFHS Workshop’. 

Abstracts must be submitted no later than Friday, 15th March 2018. 

Notification of acceptance is expected by Friday, 12th April 2018. 

Contributed papers of 4,000 to 5,000 words will be scheduled for a 25/30 minutes presentation + 40 minutes discussion introduced by a discussant.

Final paper is due by Saturday, 15th June 2019. 

A small stipend of up to €250 (EU) or €500 (extra EU) may be awarded to presenters to reduce the costs of travel and accommodation.

Attendance is open: anyone who wants to join the discussion is welcome to participate in the workshop, both in the morning and in the afternoon. There is no registration fee.

Please e-mail l.lugli@unibo.it with any question.