From merchants of doubt to the big myth: disinformation and the future of democracy

26.11.2025

On December 9, at 5:30 p.m., the Sala dei Giganti in Palazzo Liviano in Padua will host “From Merchants of Doubt to the Big Myth: Disinformation and the Future of Democracy.”

The event brings together Naomi Oreskes, historian of science at Harvard University, and Telmo Pievani, philosopher of science at the University of Padova, for a conversation on how organized disinformation and political propaganda undermine scientific credibility, distort public debate, and threaten democratic institutions. 

The dialogue, moderated by science journalist Elisabetta Tola, chief editor of Il Bo Live, will explore the escalating attacks on science in the United States, from climate denial to the political pressures amplified during the Trump era, and discuss what it takes to rebuild and foster trust between scientific communities and the public at large. The discussion will include references to the themes discussed in Oreskes’s last book, namely how the free market ideology and propaganda, developed throughout the 20th century, but with particular emphasis in the last 30 years, defined the American policies and led to multiple societal crises, such as the opioid scourge, the ominous response to the Covid-19 pandemic crisis, the United States’ strategic disengagement from the Paris Agreement and from global climate transition policies. Central themes include transparency, accountability, and the essential role of journalism, media and information in defending evidence-based discourse.

The conversation will also highlight a shared principle that links Harvard University, where Oreskes teaches, and the University of Padova: the defense of academic freedom. The American tradition of protecting scholarly independence resonates strongly with patavina libertas, the centuries-old commitment to intellectual autonomy that defines Padova’s identity. Together, these perspectives offer a powerful framework for reflecting on how universities can uphold freedom of inquiry in an increasingly polarised world.

A book signing is scheduled at the end of the event (no on-site book sales are planned).

To participate, registration is required.
The event is also live-streamed online on the Unipd YouTube channel.