The natural sciences are leading the way when it comes to the great discoveries of our time, be it in the field of space travel, global health or dealing with climate change.
They are pushing forward into new areas of knowledge, changing our perception and view of the world. As experts in uncharted territory, we also grant them a great deal of authority in political discourse. But what responsibility can they live up to and what powers do we want to grant them? Even if there are repeated calls from the public to finally listen to the sciences, reducing complex social and ethical issues to purely scientific and technical solutions harbors dangers.
On the one hand, the natural sciences should not be politically instrumentalized; on the other hand, politics must clarify its relationship to the natural sciences before it can use them as a basis for averting dangers. Could the modern voyage of discovery get out of hand? Who will then decide our future and on what basis?
The event series is part of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation's debate forum “Ansichtssache” and takes place as part of the BBAW 2025|26 annual theme “Resolving Conflicts!”. Further information and registration for the event.
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Opening of the series “#Neuland - On the opportunities and challenges of innovations” of the debate forum ANSICHTSSACHE of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) in cooperation with the BBAW.
Innovations in science, business and political action are important for the prosperity of society. Will they be accepted by the population and henceforth respected or ignored and fought against? Every new development is often associated with unclear challenges and consequences for society. Although technical innovations are often taken for granted, their use develops a momentum of its own, as can be seen, for example, in relation to social media platforms like TikTok. At the same time, the anonymity and speed of the internet also encourages criminal activity.
Politicians seem to be rather reactive when it comes to finding and enforcing suitable regulations and countermeasures, whereas they should actually act quickly and help shape innovations. Or are democratic processes no longer able to keep pace with rapid, often independent and cross-border developments? How can the democratic state guarantee the security and freedom of its citizens without blocking the economy and inhibiting development? Do we need to reconsider the ways we think about community and democracy?
This event series is part of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation's debate forum ‘Ansichtssache’ and is organized as part of the BBAW's annual theme 2025|26 ‘Resolving Conflicts!’. More information and registration for the event.
“Follow the science” as a supposedly action-guiding conflict resolution strategy has been increasingly used in recent years when it comes to public and political debate on topics such as climate change or global and fair food supply. Politicians are supposed to listen to science, science is supposed to speak words of power. But what role can or should science play in such conflict-prone issues? Can science resolve conflicts on the basis of its expertise alone? What is the relationship between science and politics in the negotiation of conflicts?
Lorraine Daston (Academy member), Viola Priesemann (Die Junge Akademie) and Peter Strohschneider (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München) will discuss these questions. Christoph Markschies (President of the BBAW) will open the evening with a welcoming speech. The event will be moderated by Anita Traninger (Academy member and spokesperson for the annual theme).
Rich in conflict, Ovid's ‘Metamorphoses’ offer a number of reference points for the BBAW's annual theme for 2025 and 2026, ‘Resolving Conflicts!’: The myth of Philemon and Baucis serves as the strating point for a conversation about hospitality as a strategy for conflict transformation. Often read as a touching story of the unshakeable bond between the ageing couple, the myth tells of an explosive situation of confrontation with a stranger. By entertaining the incognito gods Jupiter and Mercury despite their modest circumstances, Philemon and Baucis diffuse the potential conflict. What does the myth tell us about conflicts and their resolution today?
In discussion will be Christopher Degelmann (Ancient History, HU Berlin, member of the Junge Akademie), Ernst Osterkamp (German Studies, HU Berlin, academy member) and Sabrina Zajak (Social Sciences, German Centre for Integration and Migration Research), moderated by Anita Traninger (Rhetorics/Literary Studies, academy member, spokesperson for the annual theme 2025|26 ‘Resolving Conflicts!’).
At Einstein Day 2024 in Potsdam's Nikolaisaal, the new annual theme 2025|26 ‘Resolving Conflicts!’ will take center stage. Over the next couple of years, a wide range of BBAW activities, also in cooperation with partner institutions, will explore solutions in a world of multiple crises. While the thorough diagnosis of conflicts is usually already well advanced, there is often a lack of equally in-depth thinking about solutions. This causes concern and fear to spread; many fear economic problems, social decline and political uncertainty. The Academy would like to contribute to solution-orientated thinking and thus encourage people to look to the future.
The annual theme's spokesperson, Anita Traninger, a Romance philologist at Berlin's Freie Universität, will introduce the new annual theme. In addition, as every year, news from the Academy's work will be reported by the President, a review will be presented at the end of the Kant anniversary year and prizes will be awarded. Lisa Bassenge and Andreas Lang will perform music.
Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities
Annual Theme 2025|26 "Resolving Conflicts!"
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