The Limits of Understanding: Towards an Implementable Model of Inter-Paradigmatic Communication – Interview with Antoni Lukasik (Warsaw Univ

Antoni Lukasik (Warsaw University) in conversation with Sinan Barış Yaşar (HGGS) - What are the limits of understanding within the framework of language in political contexts?- How does Ludwig Wittgenstein’s philosophy reshape our understanding of language and communication?- Can interdisciplinary and empirical approaches improve political communication, particularly in climate policy? In this episode, Antoni Łukasik, researcher from the Department of Philosophy at Warsaw University and participant in the 4EU+ Program Collegio Futuro 2026, takes us on an interdisciplinary journey through the complex relationship between language, understanding, and political communication. Starting from the idea, famously expressed by Antoine deSaint-Exupéry, that “language is a source of misunderstanding,” the conversation explores how linguistic structures shape not only communication but also perception and public discourse. Drawing on the philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein, Antoni Łukasik introduces a shift from viewing language as a mirror of reality to understanding it as a tool for interaction, emphasizing how meaning emerges through use, context, and social exchange. Building on this philosophical foundation, the episode examines the limitations of classical models of political deliberation, highlighting empirical findings that challenge the assumption that rational argument alone leads to consensus. Instead, the discussion turns to holistic and discursive processes that shape public opinion. The discussion further explores the concept of vernacularization and highlights a striking reverse dynamic example in which indigenous knowledge systems in Ecuador have influenced formal political and legal structures from the bottom up. By combining philosophical inquiry with empirical methods such as qualitative fieldwork, this episode sheds light on the challenges of communicating across paradigms, cultures, and disciplines. It also raises fundamental questions about whether universal models of communication are possible or whether we must instead embrace plurality, uncertainty, and contextual understanding. Join us as we explore the boundaries of language, the challenges of political communication, and the possibilities of interdisciplinary approaches for fostering clearer dialogue in an increasingly complex world! Timeline(00:00) Intro(00:24) Introducing Antoni Łukasik and His Academic Background(05:53) Ludwig Wittgenstein and the Philosophy of Language(17:03) Communication Models and Discursive Processes(22:54) Research Design and Case Selection: Climate Policy and Competing Worldviews(28:32) Vernacularization and Knowledge Transfer(31:05) Fieldwork Reflections and Methodological Challenges(34:31) Scientific Methodology(38:58) Hypotheses, Falsification, and Scientific Inquiry(42:39) Personal Reflection: Interdisciplinary Research and Collegio Futuro(45:18) Personal Reflection: Future Research Plans(47:36) OutroKeywordsLanguage, Political Communication, Climate Policy, Philosophy, Philosophy of Language, Empirical Philosophy, Environmental Philosophy, Philosophy of Science, Ecuador, Public Discourse, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Karl Popper, Thomas Kuhn, Understanding, Social Representation, Empirical Methods, Vernacularization, Qualitative Fieldwork, Critical Discourse Analysis, Contextual Analysis, Interdisciplinary Research, Interdisciplinary Scholarship, Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Scholarly Conversations, Interdisciplinary Discussions, Interviews with Scholars, University Discourse, Academic Podcast, Scientific Podcast, Research Podcast, University Podcast, Heidelberg University, University of Warsaw, Collegio Futuro