Lorraine Daston

Comets! Magnets! Armadillos! In this wide-ranging interview Lorraine Daston tells us how Renaissance and early modern scientists dealt with the extraordinary events they called "wonders".

In dieser Folge sprechen Lorraine Daston, eine herausragende Wissenschaftshistorikerin, und Peter Galison, ein angesehener Wissenschaftshistoriker, über die Evolution des Begriffs der Objektivität in der Wissenschaft. Sie zeigen, wie sich die Wahrnehmung von Naturwahrheit im Laufe der Jahrhunderte verändert hat und beleuchten die Rolle klassischer Naturforscher. Zudem diskutieren sie die Herausforderungen der Bildreproduktion in der Wissenschaft und die Bedeutung eines geschulten Urteils bei der Interpretation von Bildern. Ein faszinierender Einblick in die komplexe Beziehung zwischen Wissenschaft und Wahrnehmung!

Brian Stone, an expert in urban planning and climate change, discusses the challenges of rebuilding after disasters in the age of permacrisis. Lorraine Daston, a renowned science historian, explores evolving perceptions of responsibility regarding climate events. Annalee Newitz brings a creative lens, highlighting innovative design solutions for coastal flooding. They emphasize the power of storytelling as a means of resilience and inspire listeners to rethink how we prepare and respond to ongoing environmental challenges.

Lorraine Daston, Director Emerita at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, dives into the legacy of Gregor Mendel and the debates surrounding genetic determinism. She contrasts Mendel’s work with the theories of Bateson and Weldon, illuminating how personal biases influenced scientific acceptance. The discussion highlights misconceptions in genetics, challenges to inherited traits, and the historical neglect of women's contributions. Daston urges a nuanced understanding of these ongoing scientific controversies and their cultural implications.

Delving into the 350-year history of the scientific community, Lorraine Daston explores the complexities of scientists learning to cooperate. From the Republic of Letters to global collaborations, she unravels the dynamics of scientific rivalries and the challenges of defining a scientific community. The evolution of scientific cooperation, the impact of historical events like World Wars, and the power of in-person meetings in establishing scientific consensus are all explored in this intriguing podcast.