04541 - STORIA DEL PENSIERO SCIENTIFICO

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide basic knowledge on the history of scientific thought and on the issues of the science / society relationship through thematic paths, figures of distinguished scientists, research institutions and scientific dissemination, from a national and international perspective. At the end of the course the student acquires the methodological tools to interpret primary and secondary sources relating to the history of scientific thought (contextualized in the philosophical, technical, socio-political, institutional culture of their time) and for an adequate use and critical evaluation of the historical heritage -scientific.

Course contents

The “Trieste System”: a case study of Science Diplomacy

As the former Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi Annan wrote, if it is true that we are in the era of the knowledge-based economy, it is necessary that science and technology be placed at the foundation of "an Alliance for Civilization" in a prospect of international solidarity. Access to knowledge is in fact a democratic discrimination that no longer acts only within individual nations, but between nations, becoming a factor in a new form of exclusion that affects the countries of the so-called South of the world. If scientific knowledge is the engine of social and democratic development, universities in emerging countries need to be able to network with universities and research centers of excellence in richer countries. This global network of knowledge, however, needs a physical place of coordination, which acts within the United Nations. The “Trieste System” represents a place of this type. It is in fact in Trieste that after the Second World War the International Center for Theoretical Physics (1964) came to life thanks to the initiative of the Italian physicist Paolo Budinich and the Pakistani physicist Abdus Salam (Nobel Prize in 1979), further initiatives have been developed that have implemented the original cultural, diplomatic and political project of Budinich and Salam in a multidisciplinary perspective including the human sciences.

Main topics: The concept of science diplomacy; the Mitteleuropean cultural context of Trieste in the early twentieth century with particular regard to the naturalistic, oceanographic and medical-psychological disciplines; the initiatives of scientists for peace after World War II; the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs (an association which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1995). The Trieste scientific system in the second half of the twentieth century with particular regard to the International Center for Theoretical Physics; the Interdisciplinary Laboratory of the International Higher School of Advanced Studies; The International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, the Trieste International Foundation for the Progress and Freedom of Sciences; the Third World Academy of Science, The scientific imaginary (exhibition / museum for scientific dissemination).

Readings/Bibliography

For basic knowledge we recommend reading M. Beretta, Material history of science, Carocci 2017, chapter 10 ° "Scienza e politica" (it's not mandatory)  

Attending program:

In addition to the lecture notes, the following texts are to be studied:

R. Lalli, Global perspectives on Science Diplomacy, in "Centaurus", vol. 63, 11, February 2021, pp. 1-16

L. Clavarino, Scienza e politica nell'era nucleare. La scelta pacifista di Edoardo Amaldi, Carocci, 2014.

P. Greco, Buongiorno prof. Budinich. La storia eccezionale di un fisico italiano, Bompiani, 2007, pp. 11-51; 71-224.

Readings. The following articles will be read and commented on during the lessons:

A. Salam, Ideali e realtà; La cecità del terzo mondo; Gli international Commons: condivisione delle risorse internazionali, in Abdus Salam, Ideali e realtà. Saggi scelti, Edizioni Lint Trieste, 1984, pp. 51-77,129-138, 181-193.

 

Non-attending program.

To the above texts, students who cannot attend the lessons must add D. Ludovisi, F. Sgorbissa, Trieste e la scienza. Storia e personaggi, Mgs Press, 2018, a selection of biographical cards for which students must contact the teachers.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons.

The formulation of questions, the group discussion of the problems under investigation and the first-person investigation will be encouraged. For this reason the lectures will alternate with lectures and seminars; they will watch and comment on films. At the end of each lesson 15 minutes will be dedicated to questions, requests for clarifications, etc.

Assessment methods

Oral exam of the duration of 30-40 minutes approximately.

The oral examination aims to evaluate the critical and methodological abilites developed by the student:

- basic knowledge of the program: the assessment is carried out on the basis of the texts indicated in the bibliography - the ability to understand the problems faced during the lessons - knowledge of the discipline in its historical development - the ability to frame the objects / problems studied in their context, and to discuss them critically - the quality of oral expression and the ability to construct a logical-argumentative type of speech

The exam will be structured in 2 parts: 1) Some brief notional questions, to check the careful reading and the knowledge of the exam texts; 2) Two / three open questions of more general-interpretative cutting.

The assignment will be marked on the basis of the student’s ability to gather and select the appropriate information to be able to effectively illustrate and link topics and issues

Specifically :

The achievement of an organic and articulate view, the detailed knowledge of the sources, the ability to critically analyze the arguments put forward and the appropriate use of language will result in excellent marks (28-30L). A correct knowledge of the sources, but no critical analysis, and an appropriate use of the language, but at times imprecise, will result in a good mark (25-27). Mnemonic learning of the subject, ability to synthesize but inability to critically elaborate on the topic, appropriate use of language but no use of specific language will result in a fair mark (22-24). Minimal knowledge of the course and/or inappropriate use of language will result in low marks (18-21). Severe lack of knowledge, severely inappropriate use of language and lack of critical thinking and organization skills will result in a fail.

The use of textbooks, notes or any electronic device is not allowed during the examination.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint (they will distributed in Virtuale); DVD and scientific documentaries, website.

Office hours

See the website of Sandra Linguerri