uib.no
U N I V E R S I T Y O F B E R G E N
“Theory of Science”
– Wissenschaftstheorie –
as a Way to Teach RRI
Jan Reinert Karlsen, Matthias Kaiser, Rasmus Slaattelid & Roger Strand
Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities
University of Bergen, Norway
Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities
uib.no
SVT – Centre for the Study of theSciences and the Humanities –
Zentrum für Wissenschaftstheorie
uib.no
Hypotheses for our education at University of Bergen:
• We need a new type of scientist!
• Currently we fail to address big
societal challenges.
• Not ”Truth” that matters so much
but ”Quality” (= fit for purpose).
Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities
uib.no
SVT – Centre for the Study of theSciences and the Humanities
• Permanent research and teaching centre since 1987
• (Epistemological, historical, ethical, sociological)
research on research
• We teach almost all phd students at our
university in «theory of science with ethics»– University of Bergen requirement
– National requirement in Norway
– 5-10 ECTS credits
– Most students write a critical reflection on their own research
project
uib.no
Example: Philosophy and Ethics of Social Sciences (10 credits)
Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities
uib.no
Example: Philosophy and Ethics of Social Sciences (10 credits)
Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities
uib.no
Example: Philosophy and Ethics of Social Sciences (10 credits)
Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities
uib.no
RRI and critical reflection
• The RRI concept emerges from scholarly research that
critically assess the status quo of the science-society
interface. It is a critical and radical concept.
• This scholarly research includes
– Philosophy of science / theory of science
– History, sociology etc of science, STS, etc
– Ethics
– Political theory
– Research focused on foundational problems, reflexivity,
critical examination of research traditions, methods,
theories, models, core concepts, etc within the scientific
disciplines themselves.
• RRI without the critical and theoretical aspect remains
superficial.
Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities
uib.no
Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities
