Mr. Massimo Caon | Political Philosophy | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Massimo Caon | Political Philosophy – PhD student at University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy

Dott. Massimo Caon is an emerging scholar in contemporary political philosophy and critical theory, with a strong interdisciplinary grounding in sociology and epistemology. As a doctoral candidate at the Università degli Studi di Roma “Tor Vergata,” his research explores the intersections of deliberative democracy, epistemic distance, digital culture, and public reasoning. Caon’s academic pursuits reflect a commitment to philosophical rigor, theoretical innovation, and civic relevance. Through publications, editorial responsibilities, and conference presentations, he contributes meaningfully to ongoing discussions on how democratic societies can maintain legitimacy in an era of digital disinformation and social fragmentation.

Profile Veriifed

ORCID

Education

Caon’s educational background is rooted in some of Italy’s most prestigious institutions. He completed a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at the University of Rome “Sapienza” in 2019, where he laid the foundation for his inquiries into modern political thought. He then pursued a Master of Arts in Philosophy at the same university, earning his degree with 110/110 cum laude in 2021. His MA thesis focused on deliberative democratic structures in the European context. Currently, he is enrolled in the PhD program at “Tor Vergata,” under the supervision of Prof.ssa Claudia Gina Hassan and co-tutoring by Prof. Alessandro Ferrara, working on democratic theory and critical epistemology in the digital age.

Experience

Dott. Caon brings a diverse array of academic experiences to his research. As a “Cultore della materia” (subject expert) at the Department of History, Humanities and Society, he serves on examination commissions and contributes to academic instruction in sociology and communication studies. He has also been a guest lecturer in digital political communication workshops and seminars on democratic theory. Notably, he participated in a visiting research fellowship at Goethe Universität, Frankfurt am Main, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Rainer Forst. In addition, Caon contributes as an editorial board member and peer reviewer for journals like Trauma and Memory and Im@go, indicating both subject expertise and collaborative engagement with the academic community.

Research Interests

Caon’s research interests lie in deliberative democratic theory, epistemic proceduralism, public reason, and the socio-political implications of digital media. He interrogates the epistemic crises facing modern democracies, especially under the pressure of populist propaganda and algorithm-driven misinformation. His work bridges political philosophy, critical sociology, media theory, and epistemology, with an emphasis on how digital public spheres mediate collective memory and discourse.

Awards

In 2024, Caon was awarded a competitive internal research grant by the University of Rome “Tor Vergata” for the project titled Questioning Populist Propaganda on Social Media through Critical Meme Literacy, evaluated with a perfect score of 30/30. This award reflects his growing recognition as an innovative thinker in political communication and critical media studies.

Publications 📚

🔹 “Epistemic Distance and Antidemocratic Conspiracy Theories” (2025) in Social Epistemology offers a sharp critique of misinformation’s impact on democratic rationality (cited by 5 articles).

🔹 “Public Reason and History in Contemporary Deliberative Practice” (2022) appeared in Trauma and Memory, engaging with procedural justice in historical discourse (cited by 8 articles).

🔹 📘 Chapter: “La democrazia europea tra prossimità deliberativa e distanza epistemica” (2024) in Spazio e tempo, democrazia e conflitto, contributes to debates on EU legitimacy.

🔹 📘 Chapter: “Democrazia e razionalità nella crisi della globalizzazione” (2024) in Oltre la seconda modernità, explores rationality under global stressors.

🔹 📝 Review: M. Walzer, Che cosa significa essere liberale (2024) in Syzetesis XI, highlighting liberalism’s philosophical tensions.

🔹 ✍️ Guest Editor for two 2025 Trauma & Memory special issues on Memory and Critical Theory and AI & Collective Remembrance, reflecting leadership in emerging themes.

🔹 🔍 Refereeing for journals like Im@go and participation in the Sensibilia editorial project further attests to his scholarly engagement.

Conclusion

Dott. Massimo Caon exemplifies the intellectual promise, interdisciplinary acumen, and public-minded scholarship deserving of the Best Researcher Award. His contributions address some of the most pressing democratic and epistemological issues of our time, offering innovative frameworks rooted in both classical theory and contemporary urgency. With a firm academic foundation, a growing publication record, teaching and editorial involvement, and a dedication to public discourse, Caon is well-positioned to continue making a lasting impact in philosophy and the social sciences. His recognition would not only honor his work but also signal the value of bridging rigorous thought with societal transformation.

Dr. Friederike Moltmann | Philosophy | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Friederike Moltmann | Philosophy – Senior researcher at Centre national de la recherche scientifique, France

Friederike Moltmann is a distinguished philosopher and linguist, known for her influential contributions to semantics, philosophy of language, and the intersection of linguistics and ontology. With a strong academic foundation, she has excelled in exploring intricate relationships between language and reality, particularly in the areas of reference, modality, and the philosophy of objects. She has worked extensively on the semantics of natural language, especially concerning mass and count distinctions, truthmaker semantics, and quantifier domains.

Education:

Moltmann completed her academic journey in philosophy and linguistics, starting with a Bachelor’s degree from a leading university in Europe. She went on to earn her PhD, where her research focused on the semantics of predicates and the structure of sentences. Her deep interest in language’s philosophical underpinnings is evident in her doctoral work, which led her to develop the groundwork for her future studies. Her academic career has been marked by a keen interest in the intersection of language structure and metaphysical concepts.

Profile:

Scopus

Experience:

Throughout her career, Moltmann has held several prestigious academic positions. She has taught at various universities and has engaged in interdisciplinary research projects. Notably, she has been a professor in philosophy, focusing on both theoretical linguistics and metaphysical questions about language. Her teaching and research experience have positioned her as a key figure in the field, often invited to speak at international conferences and workshops. Moltmann’s work has not only shaped academic debates but has also influenced various practical applications in cognitive science and computational linguistics.

Research Interests:

Moltmann’s research interests are diverse but are centered around the philosophy of language, specifically in how language expresses meaning and reference. She has focused on the semantics of count and mass nouns, intensional logic, and the ontological status of abstract entities. Another crucial part of her research investigates how linguistic structures can represent objects, events, and states of affairs in a way that reflects real-world metaphysical categories. Her work also delves into the intricacies of quantification, part-whole relations, and identity in linguistic contexts, contributing to both philosophy and linguistics in novel ways.

Awards:

Moltmann has received various accolades for her academic contributions. She has been nominated for several awards in the fields of philosophy and linguistics. These nominations are a testament to the profound impact of her work on both theoretical and applied linguistics. Additionally, her research on truthmaker semantics and the ontology of language has earned her recognition from prominent academic societies. Her continued excellence in teaching and research has solidified her position as a respected figure in her field.

Publications 📚:

“Objects and Attitudes” (2024) – Oxford University Press, New York
Moltmann explores the connection between linguistic attitudes and objects within the framework of philosophical semantics. This book has been influential in contemporary discussions of reference and modality.
Cited by: This work has been cited in over 50 academic papers on the relation between linguistic semantics and metaphysics.
“Abstract Objects and the Semantics of Natural Language” (2013) – Oxford University Press, New York
The book delves into the nature of abstract objects in language, discussing their role in linguistic theory and their ontological implications.
Cited by: A significant number of citations highlight its impact on theories of reference and abstract entities.
“Parts and Wholes in Semantics” (1997) – Oxford University Press, New York
This pioneering work investigates the relationship between part-whole structures in language, contributing to both linguistic theory and philosophical thought.
Cited by: Widely referenced in works on parts, wholes, and reference in the philosophy of language.
“Mass and Count in Linguistics, Philosophy, and Cognitive Science” (2020) – John Benjamins, Amsterdam
A comprehensive exploration of mass and count distinctions, bridging linguistic theory with cognitive science and philosophy.
Cited by: A key reference in the study of quantification and nominalization.
“Truthmaker-Based Content: Syntactic, Semantic, and Ontological Contexts” (2021) – Theoretical Linguistics
This article outlines the application of truthmaker semantics to natural language, addressing how content is grounded in reality.
Cited by: Highly influential in advancing truthmaker semantics in natural language processing.
“Truthmaker Semantics for Natural Language: Attitude Verbs, Modals, and Intensional Transitive Verbs” (2020) – Theoretical Linguistics
Moltmann’s investigation into how modals and attitude verbs relate to truthmaker semantics has reshaped our understanding of modal logic.
Cited by: Frequently cited in discussions of modality in linguistics.
“Number Words as Number Names” (2017) – Linguistics and Philosophy
This article examines the semantics of number words, particularly how they function as names rather than quantifiers in natural language.
Cited by: This work has contributed to debates on the semantics of numerals and quantifiers.

Conclusion:

Friederike Moltmann’s work in philosophy and linguistics represents a significant bridge between linguistic theory and metaphysical inquiries. Her pioneering contributions in truthmaker semantics, the ontology of abstract objects, and the semantics of quantification have made her an influential figure in both fields. Her research has not only expanded theoretical understanding but also provided insights into practical linguistic applications. With numerous awards and a solid record of impactful publications, Moltmann’s academic journey continues to inspire and shape contemporary debates in philosophy and linguistics.

Friederike Moltmann | Philosophy | Best Researcher Award