Ignorance, the Unknown and Creation in Democracy – Théâtre de la Concorde
By the Bauhaus des Transitions at Mines Paris PSL, in partnership with ILExpansions
At the Théâtre de la Concorde, we believe that democracy is not built solely on the accumulation of knowledge, but also on the way in which a society recognises, organises and explores what it does not yet know. At a time when ignorance is often reduced to a deficit to be filled or a threat to be combated, this meeting proposes to make it an object of scientific, political and creative reflection. How can we think of the unknown as an active condition for democratic action?Hosted by Ana Semedo and organised by Mines Paris – PSL, this round table brings together researchers, teachers and design professionals to examine contemporary forms of ignorance and the unknown in our societies.
Description
Hosted by Ana Semedo and organised by Mines Paris – PSL, this round table brings together researchers, teachers and design professionals to examine contemporary forms of ignorance and the unknown in our societies.
Far from pitting enlightened knowledge against ignorance, the discussion draws on scientific research and design practice to show that many human activities operate precisely in the unknown. Fundamental research, artistic creation, engineering, teaching and collective design are often developed on the basis of partial knowledge, hypotheses under construction and collectively explored imaginaries. Fundamental research, artistic creation, engineering, teaching, and collective design are often developed based on partial knowledge, hypotheses under construction, and collectively explored ideas.
Recent scientific advances have made it possible to better characterise what it means to “think in the unknown”. We can now provide a formal definition, study its properties and structure – thereby extending the notion of “truth” or “the known” – and show that there are cognitive mechanisms specific to reasoning in the unknown.
The discussions will draw on several disciplines: mathematics, cognitive science, psychology of creativity, management science and design science, in order to understand how individuals and groups explore the unknown, with what biases, what tools and what forms of organisation. This work therefore opens up avenues for overcoming the dilemma between a democratic life based on the assumption of decisions informed by omniscient expertise, and decisions based on common sense, which we know to be limited and fragile. It will also be necessary to examine the tensions inherent in these new exploration capabilities, between democratic openness, risks associated with the unknown, power asymmetries and technocratic temptations.
By combining academic research, professional practices and civic reflection, this event is part of the Théâtre de la Concorde’s project to foster dialogue between scientific knowledge and public debate, in order to collectively consider how our societies can learn, decide and innovate in the face of the unknown.
With:
- Anne Asensio, Vice President of Design Experience, Dassault Systèmes
- Olivia Caramello, Associate Professor, University of Insubria (Como), Mathematics
- Mathieu Cassotti, Professor, Paris Cité University, Developmental Psychology and Creativity
- Pascal Le Masson, Professor, Mines Paris – PSL, Management and Design Sciences
- Chipten Valibhay, Lecturer-Researcher, Mines Paris – PSL, Management and Design Sciences
- Moderator Ana Semedo
In partnership with the Bauhaus des Transitions – Mines Paris PSL, teaching and research chair.
