The idea that science can provide us with truth and certainty in the form of knowledge has long been called into question. But this does not alter the fact that science enables us to do so much. ‘I am working on a philosophy of science in which you need to see science more as a place where researchers “get acquainted”. My argument is that researchers should be aware of their own frames of reference and should actively research these,’ says Prof. Mieke Boon of the University of Twente’s MESA+ research institute. She will give her inaugural speech as a professor of ‘Philosophy of Science in Practice’ on Thursday 10 May 2010. The title of her speech is ‘Structuring and interpreting – making knowledge with philosophy.’
The picture that most people have of science is as a kind of quest for true knowledge, but according to the philosopher from Twente (who trained as a chemical technologist), this is not the most constructive way to understand the technical sciences. ‘My philosophical work focuses on developing a view of science which can provide an alternative to the idea that true science always provides truth and certainty,’ says Boon. ‘The technical sciences, as an example of an area of science, seem to be a particularly fruitful area for developing such an alternative view.’
The point of departure for Boon’s alternative is Immanuel Kant’s theory of knowledge. This theory of knowledge breaks with the idea that our perceptions and knowledge are a mirror image of reality. By contrast, the new point of departure is that people make knowledge by structuring and giving meaning to what they see. This does not happen at random. Structuring and interpreting take place thanks to frames of reference that we are often not even aware of. ‘My argument is that researchers should become aware of the existence of the frame of reference of their discipline, and that they should actively research this. What I mean by this is that they should take “epistemic responsibility”. The technical sciences is an excellent example of how we are constantly building. Researchers do more than just make things. They make knowledge and in some ways, they create the phenomenon that they are observing!’
To give a concrete example, Boon cites the use of theoretical knowledge and concepts about natural photosynthesis. If you understand the steps in energy transfer that occur here, you can also apply this when generating knowledge about phenomena which do not even exist yet, such as artificial photosynthesis. Energy transfer at the molecular level works as an abstract design concept in this. In this way, still more concepts, models and theories are born that Boon sees as knowledge tools that we can use to reflect on the ways in which such phenomena can be created or improved on by technology.
An understanding of the different ways in which researchers make knowledge and how they have developed over the course of history, contributes to our ability to transcend the boundaries of scientific disciplines. This insight also provides inspiration for the improvement of scientific methods and stimulates the creativity that is needed to make knowledge. Boon: ‘I expect that the new ‘Philosophy of Science in Practice’ Chair will be able to make a useful contribution to building a new philosophy of science which can be applied within education and research. Next year, I hope to publish a book on this subject.’
About Prof. Mieke Boon
Mieke Boon is Professor in ‘Philosophy of Science in Practice’ at the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences and the Faculty of Science and Technology. The combination of science, technology, philosophy, ethics and art forms a unifying thread throughout her career. In summary, her passion is ‘understanding our own thinking’. She has published numerous articles and books, including in 2009 ‘The Philosophy of Looking – Art from another Perspective’. On 10 May at 16.00, Prof Mieke Boon will give her speech at the University of Twente in the Prof M.P. Breedveld Room of the Waaier Building.
Note to the press: Contact person for more information: communication advisor Martine van Hillegersberg, UT Press Relations Department. Click here for Professor Boon’s contact details. A digital cope of her speech “Structuring and interpreting – making knowledge with philosophy” is available on request.
