Carlo Martini: Pseudoscience and science disinformation: Rethinking the problem of demarcation from the ground up

Tuesday 17 February 2026 @11:30 (CET)
Sala B, Edificio de Humanidades, UNED & online

Abstract
In this talk I will propose a taxonomy of science, pseudoscience, and science disinformation designed to clarify both the recent revival of the problem of demarcation in philosophy of science and contemporary social-scientific research on disinformation. I argue that distinguishing these categories requires attention not only to epistemic norms and methodological practices, but also to communicative intent and social context. Drawing on epistemology and philosophy of science, I will show how conceptual analysis can complement and inform experimental social science approaches to understanding the production, spread, and uptake of science disinformation. In particular, I highlight how philosophical tools can help refine operational definitions used in empirical research. Finally, I present early work on a science education curriculum grounded in an explicit treatment of the demarcation problem. This curriculum aims to strengthen critical reasoning skills and to better equip students to identify, evaluate, and respond to science disinformation in public discourse.

Bio
Carlo Martini is Associate Professor in Philosophy of Science at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (Milan) and visiting Adjunct Professor at the University of Helsinki. He has worked on the interface between science and policy, scientific expertise, and science communication. Most recently, he has conducted experimental work, at the interface between epistemology and social science, on the problem of pseudoscience and science disinformation. He is leader of the Consolidator Grant (Italian Ministry of University and Research) “Demarcation for Dummies”, the project will work on the problem of demarcation between science and pseudoscience and the connection between pseudoscience and science disinformation.