dests

“Systems of Experimentation or the Art of Exploring the Unknown”

03.11.09, 10.00-11.15 h
Leibniz-Institut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Berlin-Buch
Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin

Prof. Rheinberger is the director of the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science in Berlin. Being a molecular biologist as well as a philosopher, his main interest lies in the history of the life sciences, especially the history of heredity. Through the study of experimental procedures, scientific objects, technical instruments as well as researchers’ practices and texts he can gain an understanding of how knowledge has been acquired in the past.

In his talk at the FMP, Prof. Rheinberger wants to address a specific paradox: Scientists have to produce knowledge that can be considered reliable. But their work essentially deals with objects that still lie in the realm of the unknown. Furthermore, they have to be ready to discard knowledge that was believed to be certain. How is research possible in view of this paradox?

The Swiss-born scientist studied philosophy and biology in Tübingen and Berlin and received his habilitation in molecular biology in 1987. He was Assistant Professor at the University of Lübeck, and Associate Professor at the University of Salzburg. Since 1997, he is the director of the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science in Berlin and heads a research department. At the Technical University of Berlin, he is honorary professor for the history of science.