Prof. Dr. Jan Golinski
University of New Hampshire
History of Science in a Changing Climate
For additional details, please go here.
When:
14 February, 2024: 18.00 – 19.30
Where:
VUB Main Campus Etterbeek
Pleinlaan 2
1050 Elsene
Gebouw: U-Residence
*Free of charge*
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Professor Cornelis J. Schilt invite you to an exclusive lecture on the interplay between science, history and our understanding of climate change.
In his lecture called ‘History of science in a changing climate’, renowned American professor Jan Golinski explains how history gives us insight into how we understand climate change today. He explores the cultural and intellectual dimensions of climate change: how do cultures, ideas, beliefs and intellectual currents influence the way we understand, interpret and respond to climate change?
Professor Golinski takes us through past centuries and the evolution of views of climate change. He pays special attention to the Enlightenment, when the worldview emerged that nature is both exploitable and determining of human life. How have these views influenced our current view of climate? What lessons can we draw from the past to better understand today’s climate challenges?
The climate debate is heating up. What is the truth about climate change and what is fake news? Scientists have an important role to play, and their research contributes to solutions as well as an objective debate, just as it contributes to other burning social issues.
After the lecture, Professor Golinski and philosopher Alicja Gescinksa will debate the values of the Enlightenment today and the role of scientists in the public debate, including on climate. Professor Schilt will moderate.
From the file: PACT Pauwels Academy of Critical Thinking, Public programme