Holger Kiik
@holgerkiik.bsky.social
Epistemology of Democracy; Challenges & Innovations of Democracy; Critical thinking; Philosophy https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Meos-Kiik
Half-baked thoughts. Occasional pics of cats, nature or stuff that surprises me.
🇪🇪 stands with Ukraine 🇺🇦
Half-baked thoughts. Occasional pics of cats, nature or stuff that surprises me.
🇪🇪 stands with Ukraine 🇺🇦
Pinned
Holger Kiik
@holgerkiik.bsky.social
· Nov 10
Epistocracy and populism: second-order ideologies challenging democracy
Epistocracy and populism are usually seen as opposites. The first finds error in democracy’s reliance on the sub-optimal decisions by the supposedly incompetent masses, and argues that political de...
www.tandfonline.com
What is common in epistocratic elitism and populism as critiques of representative democracy? They might seem polar opposites, but share assumptions of the nature of politics, political truths and basis for legitimacy.
My Open Access article:
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
My Open Access article:
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Federal gas lighting at an Orwellian level "A gang of thugs pepper spraying, beating and then executing an innocent person is self-defense".
"The agitators should have known better" or "Suspect approached them with a gun" which was concealed and within the 2nd amendment they usually take pride in.
"The agitators should have known better" or "Suspect approached them with a gun" which was concealed and within the 2nd amendment they usually take pride in.
"So it’s not only that federal agents kill an American citizen like authoritarian thugs, but their superiors in Washington justified that killing with the kind of bald-faced lie that recalls Tehran and Moscow ... The Trump administration’s actions augur an increasingly violent crackdown"
Must-read.
Must-read.
This is a clarifying moment: one that reveals the particularly vicious form of authoritarianism taking root in America today www.vox.com/policy/47639...
January 26, 2026 at 7:46 AM
Federal gas lighting at an Orwellian level "A gang of thugs pepper spraying, beating and then executing an innocent person is self-defense".
"The agitators should have known better" or "Suspect approached them with a gun" which was concealed and within the 2nd amendment they usually take pride in.
"The agitators should have known better" or "Suspect approached them with a gun" which was concealed and within the 2nd amendment they usually take pride in.
Reposted by Holger Kiik
So OK: Trump isn't going to use force to invade Greenland. So, he needs to convince Europeans. I don't think 'you're nothing and I'm everything' is a convincing argument!
January 21, 2026 at 3:02 PM
So OK: Trump isn't going to use force to invade Greenland. So, he needs to convince Europeans. I don't think 'you're nothing and I'm everything' is a convincing argument!
This is a no-brainer. Of course, we will not let russian occupation soldiers in ever again, whether they are at the moment carrying a weapon or not.
The only reason they are in the west shamefully let in some global sport competitions is russian blood-money.
#Ukraine #Estonia #EU #ArmUkrainetoWin
The only reason they are in the west shamefully let in some global sport competitions is russian blood-money.
#Ukraine #Estonia #EU #ArmUkrainetoWin
Ukraine war briefing: Estonia leads with entry ban on Russians who fought in Ukraine
‘We call on other countries to do the same’ says foreign minister; major fires after Ukraine targets Russian drone plant at Taganrog. What we know on day 1,421
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2026 at 7:38 AM
This is a no-brainer. Of course, we will not let russian occupation soldiers in ever again, whether they are at the moment carrying a weapon or not.
The only reason they are in the west shamefully let in some global sport competitions is russian blood-money.
#Ukraine #Estonia #EU #ArmUkrainetoWin
The only reason they are in the west shamefully let in some global sport competitions is russian blood-money.
#Ukraine #Estonia #EU #ArmUkrainetoWin
#Iran
Authoritarian playbook: after a violent crackdown on protests, to project legitimacy gather pro-regime people on the street, no matter whether sincere supporters or busloads of workers from state-owned institutions to unenthusiastically stand or toddle around.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccbJ...
Authoritarian playbook: after a violent crackdown on protests, to project legitimacy gather pro-regime people on the street, no matter whether sincere supporters or busloads of workers from state-owned institutions to unenthusiastically stand or toddle around.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccbJ...
Supporters of Lukashenko rally in Minsk
YouTube video by AP Archive
www.youtube.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:08 AM
#Iran
Authoritarian playbook: after a violent crackdown on protests, to project legitimacy gather pro-regime people on the street, no matter whether sincere supporters or busloads of workers from state-owned institutions to unenthusiastically stand or toddle around.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccbJ...
Authoritarian playbook: after a violent crackdown on protests, to project legitimacy gather pro-regime people on the street, no matter whether sincere supporters or busloads of workers from state-owned institutions to unenthusiastically stand or toddle around.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccbJ...
Making no predictions, but I do hope that the Iranian people will finally rise up, and finish the job that has been halted many times, and will build a prosperous future for themselves. In the name of Mahsa Amini and for all who died in the previous uprisings.
#Iran
www.bbc.com/news/article...
#Iran
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Huge anti-government protests in Tehran and other Iranian cities, videos show
Rallies on major roads in the capital and in Iran's second city were peaceful and not dispersed by security forces.
www.bbc.com
January 9, 2026 at 9:06 AM
Making no predictions, but I do hope that the Iranian people will finally rise up, and finish the job that has been halted many times, and will build a prosperous future for themselves. In the name of Mahsa Amini and for all who died in the previous uprisings.
#Iran
www.bbc.com/news/article...
#Iran
www.bbc.com/news/article...
An argument that cognitive diversity, often proposed as an epistemic resource for democracy, is problematic within the deeper epistemic dissent e.g. what is knowledge, who to deter to, how to assess information.
Solution offered seems pragmatist.
by Esther K. H. Ng
#philsky #epistemology #democracy
Solution offered seems pragmatist.
by Esther K. H. Ng
#philsky #epistemology #democracy
Cognitive Diversity or Cognitive Polarization? On Epistemic Democracy in a Post-Truth World
Pessimism over a democracy’s ability to produce good outcomes is as longstanding as democracy itself. On one hand, democratic theorists consider democracy to be the only legitimate form of governme...
doi.org
January 6, 2026 at 2:57 PM
An argument that cognitive diversity, often proposed as an epistemic resource for democracy, is problematic within the deeper epistemic dissent e.g. what is knowledge, who to deter to, how to assess information.
Solution offered seems pragmatist.
by Esther K. H. Ng
#philsky #epistemology #democracy
Solution offered seems pragmatist.
by Esther K. H. Ng
#philsky #epistemology #democracy
It's my favorite day of the year- the day after the winter solstice!
The days are growing longer again. If yesterday Tallinn saw only 6h02min49sec of daylight, then today we enjoy a whoppin' 6:02:53, a whole 4 seconds more!
On Saaremaa island it is a few minutes lighter. Enjoy some pics!
The days are growing longer again. If yesterday Tallinn saw only 6h02min49sec of daylight, then today we enjoy a whoppin' 6:02:53, a whole 4 seconds more!
On Saaremaa island it is a few minutes lighter. Enjoy some pics!
December 22, 2025 at 6:14 AM
It's my favorite day of the year- the day after the winter solstice!
The days are growing longer again. If yesterday Tallinn saw only 6h02min49sec of daylight, then today we enjoy a whoppin' 6:02:53, a whole 4 seconds more!
On Saaremaa island it is a few minutes lighter. Enjoy some pics!
The days are growing longer again. If yesterday Tallinn saw only 6h02min49sec of daylight, then today we enjoy a whoppin' 6:02:53, a whole 4 seconds more!
On Saaremaa island it is a few minutes lighter. Enjoy some pics!
Reposted by Holger Kiik
FEW DAY LEFT to apply to the York Centre for Social Justice and Democracy (formerly known as York Centre for Political Theory) 2026 BOOK MANUSCRIPT WORKSHOP (DEADLINE Friday, 19 December 2025)
Information can be found here:
www.york.ac.uk/politics/cpt...
@martinoneill.bsky.social
Information can be found here:
www.york.ac.uk/politics/cpt...
@martinoneill.bsky.social
Apply for the book manuscript workshop
The York Centre for Social Justice and Democracy (formerly known as the York Centre for Political Theory) organises a Book Manuscript Workshop to provide a supportive environment to authors that have ...
www.york.ac.uk
December 16, 2025 at 2:42 PM
FEW DAY LEFT to apply to the York Centre for Social Justice and Democracy (formerly known as York Centre for Political Theory) 2026 BOOK MANUSCRIPT WORKSHOP (DEADLINE Friday, 19 December 2025)
Information can be found here:
www.york.ac.uk/politics/cpt...
@martinoneill.bsky.social
Information can be found here:
www.york.ac.uk/politics/cpt...
@martinoneill.bsky.social
Reposted by Holger Kiik
The project focuses on how knowledge and evidence inform public policy (Policy Advisory Systems). 🧠
I’ve been at IBEI for two years now, and I can honestly say it’s a great place to be a predoc. It’s a very active research hub with a really supportive atmosphere.
I’ve been at IBEI for two years now, and I can honestly say it’s a great place to be a predoc. It’s a very active research hub with a really supportive atmosphere.
December 16, 2025 at 5:41 AM
The project focuses on how knowledge and evidence inform public policy (Policy Advisory Systems). 🧠
I’ve been at IBEI for two years now, and I can honestly say it’s a great place to be a predoc. It’s a very active research hub with a really supportive atmosphere.
I’ve been at IBEI for two years now, and I can honestly say it’s a great place to be a predoc. It’s a very active research hub with a really supportive atmosphere.
Reposted by Holger Kiik
Chris Ranalli and I have a new paper in the International Journal for the Study of Skepticism. We argue that philosophical scepticism need not lead to political conservatism. We also suggest that scepticism may support an anti-political stance that is worth cultivating.
brill.com/view/journal...
brill.com/view/journal...
brill.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Chris Ranalli and I have a new paper in the International Journal for the Study of Skepticism. We argue that philosophical scepticism need not lead to political conservatism. We also suggest that scepticism may support an anti-political stance that is worth cultivating.
brill.com/view/journal...
brill.com/view/journal...
Reposted by Holger Kiik
Came across this on peer reviewers using AI just after reading Loru et al's (2025) 'The simulation of judgment in LLMs'.
Epistemia: "the illusion of knowledge emerging when plausibility replaces verification"; an epistemic shift in judgment.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Epistemia: "the illusion of knowledge emerging when plausibility replaces verification"; an epistemic shift in judgment.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
December 16, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Came across this on peer reviewers using AI just after reading Loru et al's (2025) 'The simulation of judgment in LLMs'.
Epistemia: "the illusion of knowledge emerging when plausibility replaces verification"; an epistemic shift in judgment.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Epistemia: "the illusion of knowledge emerging when plausibility replaces verification"; an epistemic shift in judgment.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Surviving december in Estonia with the 6h of daylight.
the exclusive use of festive, ambient lighting in *all* living spaces will continue until morale improves
December 16, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Surviving december in Estonia with the 6h of daylight.
Reposted by Holger Kiik
Surrounded by pleasers, the unspeakably wealthy are removed from plurality; and plurality is what vindicates or underwrites reality (that we see the same things, however differently, defeats solipsism).
For those who lose hold of (betray) reality, AI is the perfect fate, actually, but not for us
For those who lose hold of (betray) reality, AI is the perfect fate, actually, but not for us
I have grown to believe that excessive wealth does something to your brain that is analogous to a serious head injury
December 15, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Surrounded by pleasers, the unspeakably wealthy are removed from plurality; and plurality is what vindicates or underwrites reality (that we see the same things, however differently, defeats solipsism).
For those who lose hold of (betray) reality, AI is the perfect fate, actually, but not for us
For those who lose hold of (betray) reality, AI is the perfect fate, actually, but not for us
What I do as a softhearted academic philosopher from Estonia: write articles, teach, military practice, answer e-mails.
#EstonianDefenseLeague #Kaitseliit #Estonia
#EstonianDefenseLeague #Kaitseliit #Estonia
December 14, 2025 at 6:10 PM
What I do as a softhearted academic philosopher from Estonia: write articles, teach, military practice, answer e-mails.
#EstonianDefenseLeague #Kaitseliit #Estonia
#EstonianDefenseLeague #Kaitseliit #Estonia
Rahvakogu jaanuar-veebruar 2026: Mida on heaks eluks vaja?
Milline sotsiaal-majanduslik poliitika tagaks inimeste ja looduse heaolu?
30 juhuvalimiga eripalgelist inimest arutamas.
#Eestitwitter #Rahvakogu #DeliberativeDemocracy
Rohkem lugeda ja enda huvi osaleda saad märkida siin:
rahvakogu.info
Milline sotsiaal-majanduslik poliitika tagaks inimeste ja looduse heaolu?
30 juhuvalimiga eripalgelist inimest arutamas.
#Eestitwitter #Rahvakogu #DeliberativeDemocracy
Rohkem lugeda ja enda huvi osaleda saad märkida siin:
rahvakogu.info
Avaleht | Rahvakogu
rahvakogu, hea elu, kodanikualgatus, demokraatia,
rahvakogu.info
December 11, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Rahvakogu jaanuar-veebruar 2026: Mida on heaks eluks vaja?
Milline sotsiaal-majanduslik poliitika tagaks inimeste ja looduse heaolu?
30 juhuvalimiga eripalgelist inimest arutamas.
#Eestitwitter #Rahvakogu #DeliberativeDemocracy
Rohkem lugeda ja enda huvi osaleda saad märkida siin:
rahvakogu.info
Milline sotsiaal-majanduslik poliitika tagaks inimeste ja looduse heaolu?
30 juhuvalimiga eripalgelist inimest arutamas.
#Eestitwitter #Rahvakogu #DeliberativeDemocracy
Rohkem lugeda ja enda huvi osaleda saad märkida siin:
rahvakogu.info
Great focus. Lucky there's no war going on in the continent, nor is factory farming a major contributor to climate crisis. /s
Given the US administration currently holds "Might makes right", it would be so silly if during a deadly war we in the EU were like "Debates no one needs 500, please"
Given the US administration currently holds "Might makes right", it would be so silly if during a deadly war we in the EU were like "Debates no one needs 500, please"
EU ‘veggie burger’ ban stalls after talks collapse
An MEP’s crusade for naming restrictions on non-meat foods expands to ‘liver’ and ‘ham’ — but national governments aren’t buying it.
www.politico.eu
December 11, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Great focus. Lucky there's no war going on in the continent, nor is factory farming a major contributor to climate crisis. /s
Given the US administration currently holds "Might makes right", it would be so silly if during a deadly war we in the EU were like "Debates no one needs 500, please"
Given the US administration currently holds "Might makes right", it would be so silly if during a deadly war we in the EU were like "Debates no one needs 500, please"
"Political Meritocracy in the 21st Century" (Cambridge series of Elements in Political Philosophy) by Brian Kogelmann.
Free to download until TOMORROW, 12th December 2025.
www.cambridge.org/core/element...
Free to download until TOMORROW, 12th December 2025.
www.cambridge.org/core/element...
December 11, 2025 at 9:19 AM
"Political Meritocracy in the 21st Century" (Cambridge series of Elements in Political Philosophy) by Brian Kogelmann.
Free to download until TOMORROW, 12th December 2025.
www.cambridge.org/core/element...
Free to download until TOMORROW, 12th December 2025.
www.cambridge.org/core/element...
Reposted by Holger Kiik
Children love animals. How do they turn into meat-eating adults? We investigate how children trade off their moral values with the importance of food for human traditions. The great Alex Carter's first PhD paper now out in SPPS: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/... #socialpsyc #devpsy #philsky
December 10, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Children love animals. How do they turn into meat-eating adults? We investigate how children trade off their moral values with the importance of food for human traditions. The great Alex Carter's first PhD paper now out in SPPS: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/... #socialpsyc #devpsy #philsky
Reposted by Holger Kiik
🌟 PHD FELLOWSHIP ALERT! 🌟
I’m hiring 1 PhD fellow for my ERC project ECONENGAGE (@ Gothenburg 🇸🇪)! Starting 09/26! Great PhD community + int'l & supportive environment + FUN city. 💰for conferences + workshops! Lots of mentoring & career development opportunities! Deadline Jan 29th. Please apply!
I’m hiring 1 PhD fellow for my ERC project ECONENGAGE (@ Gothenburg 🇸🇪)! Starting 09/26! Great PhD community + int'l & supportive environment + FUN city. 💰for conferences + workshops! Lots of mentoring & career development opportunities! Deadline Jan 29th. Please apply!
Doctoral student in Political Science, specialization in political economy and political behavior
Doctoral position in Political Science, specialization in political economy and political behavior
The Department of Political Science
web103.reachmee.com
December 10, 2025 at 6:54 AM
🌟 PHD FELLOWSHIP ALERT! 🌟
I’m hiring 1 PhD fellow for my ERC project ECONENGAGE (@ Gothenburg 🇸🇪)! Starting 09/26! Great PhD community + int'l & supportive environment + FUN city. 💰for conferences + workshops! Lots of mentoring & career development opportunities! Deadline Jan 29th. Please apply!
I’m hiring 1 PhD fellow for my ERC project ECONENGAGE (@ Gothenburg 🇸🇪)! Starting 09/26! Great PhD community + int'l & supportive environment + FUN city. 💰for conferences + workshops! Lots of mentoring & career development opportunities! Deadline Jan 29th. Please apply!
Reposted by Holger Kiik
A few years ago, in a 4 hour "30 minute chat", former Estonian president @ilvestoomas.bsky.social agreed: The biggest danger would be the center-right siding with the far-right.
Et voilà:
"center-right EU lawmakers side with the far right to water down environmental standards."
#VerlustDerMitte
Et voilà:
"center-right EU lawmakers side with the far right to water down environmental standards."
#VerlustDerMitte
More than 80 percent of Europe’s companies will be freed from environmental reporting obligations after EU institutions reached a deal on a proposal to cut green rules yesterday.
EU closes deal to slash green rules in major win for von der Leyen’s deregulation drive
Controversial “omnibus” bill saw center-right EU lawmakers side with the far right to water down environmental standards.
www.politico.eu
December 9, 2025 at 10:07 AM
A few years ago, in a 4 hour "30 minute chat", former Estonian president @ilvestoomas.bsky.social agreed: The biggest danger would be the center-right siding with the far-right.
Et voilà:
"center-right EU lawmakers side with the far right to water down environmental standards."
#VerlustDerMitte
Et voilà:
"center-right EU lawmakers side with the far right to water down environmental standards."
#VerlustDerMitte
Reposted by Holger Kiik
The Professionalisation of Participatory Democracy: Patricia García-Espín & Emma Lancha-Hernández examine class and cultural biases in citizen advisory councils. Read OPEN ACCESS: buff.ly/B0KJrEm
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @uoypolitics.bsky.social @sagepub.com #polsky
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @uoypolitics.bsky.social @sagepub.com #polsky
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
buff.ly
December 7, 2025 at 1:01 PM
The Professionalisation of Participatory Democracy: Patricia García-Espín & Emma Lancha-Hernández examine class and cultural biases in citizen advisory councils. Read OPEN ACCESS: buff.ly/B0KJrEm
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @uoypolitics.bsky.social @sagepub.com #polsky
@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social @uoypolitics.bsky.social @sagepub.com #polsky
Ha!
EU fines the weird site X 120 million € for:
• Deceptive design of ‘blue checkmark' (paying gets the ‘verified' status without X verifying the account)
• Lack of transparency and accessibility of X's ads repository
• Not providing researchers access to public data
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
EU fines the weird site X 120 million € for:
• Deceptive design of ‘blue checkmark' (paying gets the ‘verified' status without X verifying the account)
• Lack of transparency and accessibility of X's ads repository
• Not providing researchers access to public data
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Commission fines X €120 million under the Digital Services Act
Today, the Commission has issued a fine of €120 million to X for breaching its transparency obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
ec.europa.eu
December 5, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Ha!
EU fines the weird site X 120 million € for:
• Deceptive design of ‘blue checkmark' (paying gets the ‘verified' status without X verifying the account)
• Lack of transparency and accessibility of X's ads repository
• Not providing researchers access to public data
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
EU fines the weird site X 120 million € for:
• Deceptive design of ‘blue checkmark' (paying gets the ‘verified' status without X verifying the account)
• Lack of transparency and accessibility of X's ads repository
• Not providing researchers access to public data
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Reposted by Holger Kiik
New preprint with Thomas Graves and @annayahprosser.bsky.social: "Getting Creeped Out? Open Science, Qualitative Methods, and the Dangers of Positivism Creep".
osf.io/preprints/so...
osf.io/preprints/so...
OSF
osf.io
December 5, 2025 at 3:59 PM
New preprint with Thomas Graves and @annayahprosser.bsky.social: "Getting Creeped Out? Open Science, Qualitative Methods, and the Dangers of Positivism Creep".
osf.io/preprints/so...
osf.io/preprints/so...