32nd Utopias Meeting: Science Utopia and Dark Enlightenment
The Utopias Meeting, traditionally organized by Dağarcık Türkiye, is being held for the 32nd time this year.
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The main theme of the event, which will take place on October 3–4, 2026, is “Science Utopia and Dark Enlightenment.”
The meeting coincides with the 400th anniversary of the publication of Francis Bacon’s New Atlantis. Bacon’s design for an “ideal society governed by science” and his vision of Salomon’s House continue to guide discussions as the founding text of the modern scientific paradigm. However, it is emphasized that today these ideals have dimmed, and we are living in an era of “Dark Enlightenment.”
Throughout the event, the corruption of the ideals of science and enlightenment, the monopolization of information and finance by the capitalist order, and current examples such as WikiLeaks documents, Anonymous revelations, the Epstein scandal, and New Atheist movements will be discussed.
While addressing the processes that darken humanity’s horizon, the Utopians will bring the quest to reach beyond the darkness to the agenda.
Program – Saturday, October 3, 2026
11.30 Painting and Caricature Exhibition Opening: Hale Dere – Kamil Masaracı
12.30 Session I: The Youth Speak – Hope Against Dark Enlightenment
Moderator: Dr. Cenk Özdağ
Participants: Doruk Erkuş, Atakan Kaymakçı, Levent Erdoğan
13.30 Session II: Health and Food Security in Terms of Dark Enlightenment’s Population Policy
Moderator: Prof. Dr. Suat Çağlayan
Participants: Dr. Ceyhun Balcı, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kaymakçı, Prof. Dr. Tayfun Özkaya
15.00 Session III: The Ecopolitics of Dark Enlightenment and Moral Decay
Moderator: Serdar Kızık
Participants: Hasan Erel, Enis Musluoğlu, A. Müfit Bayram
16.00 Session IV: A Promise from 400 Years Ago – Özcan Buze
The Collapse of Western Modernity, So Where is the Way Out? – Ender Helvacıoğlu
17.00 Session V: Turkey Searching for its Path in the Dark – Ret. Rear Admiral Cem Gürdeniz
19.30 32nd Utopias Dinner
Program – Sunday, October 4, 2026
11.00 Food Workshop: Aylin Musluoğlu, Doruk Erkuş
12.30 Session I: Discussion on Dark Enlightenment and the World Order
Participants: Dr. Hande Orhon Özdağ, Dr. Cenk Özdağ, Ö. Emre Koç
14.00 Session II: Is This the End of Meaningful Learning?
Participants: Aylin Musluoğlu, P. Betül Ernas, Hale Dere
15.00 Session III: The Historical Meaning and Current Legacy of Enlightenment
Prof. Dr. Doğan Göçmen
17.00 Evaluation Session
Participants
Ahmet Müfit Bayram, Atakan Kaymakçı, Aylin Musluoğlu, Ret. Rear Admiral Cem Gürdeniz, Dr. Cenk Özdağ, Dr. Ceyhun Balcı, Prof. Dr. Doğan Göçmen, Doruk Erkuş, Ender Helvacıoğlu, Enis Musluoğlu, Hale Dere, Dr. Hande Orhon Özdağ, Hasan Erel, Kamil Masaracı, Levent Erdoğan, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kaymakçı, Ö. Emre Koç, Özcan Buze, P. Betül Ernas, Serdar Kızık, Prof. Dr. Suat Çağlayan, Prof. Dr. Tayfun Özkaya.