[Commlist] Philosophy of Communication section workshop

*Philosophy of Communication section workshop*

	

*Philosophical challenges, new communication theories *

*ECREA Philosophy of Communication Section workshop *

*Faculty of Information and Audiovisual Media *

*University of Barcelona *

*Barcelona, October 26-27, 2023 *

Philosophy and Communication theory are two inseparable fields of 
knowledge. The objective of this workshop is to gather researchers from 
philosophy and communication to analyze the need for new communication 
theories in the face of new research issues, and to discuss the 
philosophical implications.

Communication theory started last century with the irruption of mass 
media and mass culture. At that time, Western societies were going 
through a profound transformation. Industrialization changed the way 
people lived: from the countryside to the big city, the irruption of 
mass media and culture, the threat of political propaganda, the power of 
media persuasion, the deconstruction of “high” vs. “popular” culture, or 
the negative effects of television content in children created an 
atmosphere of renewal as well as uncertainty. All these issues gave rise 
to the first communication theories: propaganda theories, the two-step 
flow theory, persuasion theory, cultural studies, entertainment theory, 
critical theory, information-processing theory, agenda setting theory, 
frame theory, among others. Underlying communication theorizing, 
philosophical assumptions were made, regarding epistemology, meaning, 
ethics, cognition, science, democracy, education.

Today new problems are the target of communication research and 
communication theory. Most of these issues are related to the rise of 
the Internet and social media, as digital communication has profoundly 
transformed essential aspects of our lives. Here are some examples: new 
mental health problems have appeared, especially among young people, as 
a consequence of the use of digital media; media and information 
literacy have become one the priorities of democratic societies trying 
to combat the effects of disinformation; political propaganda and 
discourse have adapted new forms through the politics of algorithms; 
artificial intelligence is posing huge and uncharted challenges for 
education, economy, and social order as conceived since now; gender 
issues are at the center of cultural and social debates, as are other 
questions of identity and equity. Finally, the relation between the 
human species and the rest of nature is in flux at all levels, ranging 
from ideas around the Anthropocene and climate change to trans- and 
posthumanism.

In the face of new theoretical challenges, the scientific and academic 
community needs to reflect on how communication theory and philosophy of 
communication approach them. Do the “old” theories still help to explain 
new problems? If so, do they need to be modified? Do we need new 
theoretical proposals? What are the philosophical assumptions implied in 
new theorizing? Is philosophy itself affected by these topics?

These are the kind of questions that will be the focus of the workshop. 
A space where philosophers and communication researchers will have the 
opportunity to explore, analyze and discuss actual intellectual 
challenges at a time when the theoretical renewal of communication 
studies is becoming a matter of urgency.

Keynote speaker: Stefania Milan (https://www.stefaniamilan.net/ ) 
(Amsterdam). TBC

Abstracts (up to 300 words) by June 10, 2023 should be sent to

(gr.dhigecscom /at/ ub.edu) <mailto:(gr.dhigecscom /at/ ub.edu)>

Abstracts acceptance notice: by July 15, 2023

Workshop fee: 55 euros.

Payment due September 15, 2023. Link:


https://www.ub.edu/insact/alumnes/inici.php?idioma=3&id=d91a3e89e3bd16be9b8a 


The venue: https://www.ub.edu/portal/web/information-audiovisual-media/home
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