Koen Vermeir, Chargé de Recherche at the CNRS/University Paris-Diderot, studies science in its cultural and social settings. A physicist turned historian and philosopher of science, he is interested in the nexus between science and public policy. He is Editor-in-Chief of the journal Centaurus:an international journal of the history of science and its cultural aspects, and he is on the on the Executive Council of the European Society for the History of Science. Vermeir is an expert on the early development of science, its definition, boundary-work and demarcation from other practices, and he has reflected on the consequences for our notions of rationality and modernity. He is a member of the Global Young Academy (GYA), where he focuses on the societal relevance of history and philosophy of science and where he drives societal and policy changes related to the sciences. He has led several working groups, including those on Open Science and Science Advice, and regularly advises the European Commission and international science agencies. He has presented at the UN, the European Parliament, the European Commission, the USA National Academies of Sciences, ESOF and at other high-level meetings. He is currently on the Global Young Academy Executive Committee.
Applied Philosophy? Engaged Philosophy!
I will talk about my recent work as a historian and philosopher to engage with policy makers and to contribute in concrete ways towards creating a better world. I will argue that this is not “applied philosophy”, as some would call it, but rather an “engaged philosophy”. I do not try to apply known philosophical theories, but the engagement with concrete and practical challenges that have an impact on policy, government and everyday life require a specific approach and its own kind of creative thinking. I will focus on three of my recent contributions. First, I will talk about the “right to science”, one of the economic, social and cultural rights claimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This recognizes, amongst other things, the right of everyone toenjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications. Second, I will introduce the Enlightenment 2.0 flagship project of the European Commission, which is meant to counter the current political and epistemic crisis of populism and post-fact attitudes. Finally, if there is time left, I will talk about recent initiatives in Open Science: the opportunities and difficulties with making science accessible to everyone.
Conférence, 20 min
Traduction simultanée en français