Lecture One: What is Science and Why Should We Care?

FSU Events

A special guest lecture as part of the Science, Scepticism and Free Speech series.

The Hall, the Art Workers' Guild

SCIENCE, SCEPTICISM and FREE SPEECHLecture One: What is Science and Why Should We Care?Wednesday 27th March, 7.30pmThe <a href="https://freespeechunion.org/" title="https://freespeechunion.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Free Speech Union</a> is delighted to host a series of lectures and discussions in partnership with  <a href="https://senseaboutscience.org/" title="https://senseaboutscience.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Sense About Science</a>, an independent charity that promotes the public interest in sound science and evidence. Critical thinking, open inquiry and the freedom to question have been fundamental to the development of the scientific method and the expansion of knowledge. The ideal of objectivity and the goal of truth require the discipline to abstract itself from individuals, from interests and from sentiment, all of which may explain why science is always subject to pressures on its integrity. 'SCIENCE, SCEPTICISM and FREE SPEECH' is a unique series of three events – two lectures from eminent scientists and a final session bringing together public figures concerned with the relationship between science, the public and democratic decision-making. Each session will include plenty of time for audience Q and A. You are welcome to attend the entire series or individual events. It will also be possible to join online.In-person tickets for each event are £10 for FSU Members, £16 for members of the public, £12 for under-25s.Ticket includes a glass of wine on arrival.Zoom option: FSU Members can join free of charge, others pay £5 per event. What is Science and Why Should We Care?With Professor Alan Sokal, Professor of Mathematics, University College London and Professor Emeritus of Physics, New York University.Professor Sokal will draw out the unique contribution of the scientific method to human progress and address contemporary trends which threaten to undermine it, in particular, politicisation and censorship.About our speakerFamous for his 1996 hoax, Professor Alan Sokal is one of the most powerful voices in the continuing debate about the status of evidence-based knowledge. He is co-author (with Jean Bricmont) of <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intellectual-Impostures-Jean-Bricmont-ebook/dp/B005OA3I8C/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1694438002&refinements=p_27%3AAlan+Sokal&s=digital-text&sr=1-1&text=Alan+Sokal" title="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intellectual-Impostures-Jean-Bricmont-ebook/dp/B005OA3I8C/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1694438002&refinements=p_27%3AAlan+Sokal&s=digital-text&sr=1-1&text=Alan+Sokal" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Intellectual Impostures: Postmodernist Philosophers' Abuse of Science</a>, and author of <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Hoax-Science-Philosophy-Culture-ebook/dp/B006TC2EIO/ref=sr_1_2?qid=1694438032&refinements=p_27%3AAlan+Sokal&s=digital-text&sr=1-2&text=Alan+Sokal" title="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Hoax-Science-Philosophy-Culture-ebook/dp/B006TC2EIO/ref=sr_1_2?qid=1694438032&refinements=p_27%3AAlan+Sokal&s=digital-text&sr=1-2&text=Alan+Sokal" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Beyond the Hoax: Science, Philosophy and Culture</a>. The Free Speech Union is a non-partisan, mass membership public interest body that stands up for the speech rights of its members. Find out more <a href="https://freespeechunion.org/join/" title="https://freespeechunion.org/join/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">here</a>.

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Lecture One: What is Science and Why Should We Care?

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Lecture One: What is Science and Why Should We Care?

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