CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
The COGITO Epistemology Research Centre is pleased to announce its first conference on the Epistemology of Ignorance to be held on the 16th and 17th of September 2025 at the University of Glasgow.
Knowledge has traditionally occupied a privileged role in epistemology. In recent years, however, conceptual, metaphysical, and axiological questions surrounding ignorance have been increasingly taken up by epistemologists. The aim of this conference is to bring together world-leading experts and early career researchers and offer a platform for collaborative discussion.
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS
Jesper Kallestrup (University of Aberdeen)
Lilith Mace (University of Glasgow)
Anne Meylan (University of Zürich)
CONTRIBUTIONS
We invite contributions from philosophers on the topic of ignorance, addressing questions such as (but not limited to):
How do analyses of ignorance in mainstream epistemology relate to phenomena such as privileged ignorance, e.g., Mills’ white ignorance?
Is ignorance neutral or is it essentially normative?
How might ignorance relate to norms of inquiry, particularly concerning marginalised groups or topics?
Is ignorance of some value for cognitively limited epistemic agents like us?
How should we determine whether an agent is blameworthy or blameless for their ignorance in an uncooperative epistemic environment?
To contribute, please send an abstract of no more than 500 words in word document format prepared for blind review at the following email address [epistemologyofignorance@gmail.com] with the subject line “ABSTRACT SUBMISSION”, Additionally, please add a separate title page with your name, affiliation, and status (e.g., PGR, ECR). The abstract should be suitable for a 30-minute presentation (and 25 min Q&A).
The deadline for submissions is 1st August 2025. Contributors whose abstract is accepted will be notified by 7th August 2025. We particularly encourage submissions from members of underrepresented groups in philosophy. The conference will be held in-person only. We can offer a limited travel bursary for postgraduate researchers presenting at the conference; please indicate whether you would like to be considered for this in your email, and whether you are currently in receipt of institutional funding. Lunches and a conference dinner will be provided to all contributors.
For further information, please contact us at epistemologyofignorance@gmail.com
Organisers:
Giorgia Foti, Frances Darling, Guillaume Andrieux and Martin Miragoli
COGITO Epistemology Research Centre, University of Glasgow
Funders:
Mind Association
Society for Applied Philosophy
Scots Philosophical Association
Analysis Trust