Trust and Bias in Reasoning
2–3 March 2026
Schloss Mickeln, Düsseldorf
This international and interdisciplinary workshop investigates the role of trust and bias in human reasoning. It brings together philosophers working in epistemology, philosophy of mind, and argumentation theory, as well as psychologists and cognitive scientists to explore how trust and cognitive bias shape reasoning and decision-making. The aim is to foster dialogue across disciplines and deepen our understanding of human reasoning and decision-making.
Monday, 2 March
| 09:45 | Greeting & opening |
| 10:00 | Markus Knauff: Against the bias bias — Rethinking rationality |
| 11:15 | Axel Gelfert: Epistemic affordances |
| 12:30 | Lunch |
| 13:45 | Paul Faulkner: Epistemic dilemmas and moral encroachment |
| 15:00 | Coffee & tea |
| 15:30 | Lieke Asma: Understanding bias in practical reasoning |
| 16:45 | Romy Jaster: Static and dynamic self-immunization — Distrust in conspiracy theories |
| Workshop dinner |
Tuesday, 3 March
| 10:00 | Katharina Stevens: Wit and vulnerability – A dilemma about how self-trust and trust in the other ought to influence argument evaluation |
| 11:15 | Catarina Dutilh Novaes: Trust in argumentation |
| 12:30 | Lunch |
| 13:45 | Gottfried Vosgerau & Nastasia Müller: Categorizing biases with respect to rational reconstructibility |
Venue
The workshop takes place at Schloss Mickeln, in the Blue Room on the ground floor.
Find the workshop location on Google Maps, Apple Maps, or OSM.
- For arrival with public transit, we recommend Google Maps routing or VRR route planning. The bus station close to the venue is called “Düsseldorf, Alt Himmelgeist”. Please remember to buy a ticket for local transit. Within city limits, you will need a single fare category A ticket, for €3.60, which can be bought in a vending machine close to the platform or in the DB Navigator App.
- In case you arrive by train at Düsseldorf main station, please select “Düsseldorf, main station” as your departing station in Google Maps or VRR route planning.
- In case you arrive by plane, we recommend to use the station serving local and commuter trains, “Airport Terminal”. You can walk to this station from your arrival gate. Please use Google Maps or VRR route planning to find a connection from “Düsseldorf, Airport Terminal” to “Düsseldorf, Alt Himmelgeist”. Please note that Düsseldorf Airport has two stations, but the other one serving regional and long-distance trains usually does not make sense for inner-city travel.
- Car parking is available in front of the venue.
Registration
Registration to the workshop closed on 1 February 2026.
For any inquiries, please contact the workshop organisers at trust-bias-reasoning(at)hhu.de.
Organization
This workshop is part of the DFG-funded project Kognitiv-Rationale Rekonstruktion (KoRaRe). It is organized by Felix Kopecky, David Löwenstein, Nastasia Müller, and Gottfried Vosgerau.