220023 States, Knowledge, and the Organisation of Science (K) (WiSe 2012/2013)

The development of the nation state and the organised scientific enterprise are closely intertwined features in modern history. Since the founding of scientific academies in the late seventeenth century, the interest of the government has shaped organisational forms, methodological issues, and even the research output of the sciences. This has been with us until now, as recent debates on both educational policy and ethical questions concerning scientific research show.

The seminar will raise the following questions, among others: How are the states involved in organising the production of scientific knowledge, and, vice versa, how does scientific knowledge influence government? What features characterise knowledge that is produced under certain organisational conditions? Which relationship does the organisation of science hold to political and epistemic issues? Answers to these questions will clearly be interdependent and command a combined effort from the sides of philosophy, history and sociology of the sciences.

This interdisciplinary seminar will discuss literature about these topics, covering a timespan from the 17th century to recent times. The seminar will be held in English. Literature will be announced at the first meeting, October 10th.

The course will be followed up in the summer term 2013 by a week-long joint seminar of the universities Bielefeld, South Carolina, and Darmstadt. It will take place in Columbia, South Carolina. Both courses are independent, though related by topic.