SG Academy: Should Scientists Be Activists?

Does being an activist prevent you from being a good scientist or academic? Or if we turn that around: can you be a good scientist without being an activist? What even is an “activist” – is it someone who glues themselves to the street, or is it anybody who tries to improve society in one way or another?

Scientific knowledge isn’t always acted upon rationally by society (that’s an understatement, for literary purposes). Yet it seems more necessary than ever that we do. Keeping the flood of self-created crises that humanity faces in the back of our minds, let’s discuss whether the role of scientists should continue to be one on the sidelines or instead be at the forefront of the fight for a better world. Or maybe you prefer somewhere in the middle?

Bring your thoughts and join us for this open discussion!

The SG Academy is a small discussion group open to all. Be sure to sign up on time as space is limited!

The SG Academy is an initiative by Studium Generale to engage the university community (students and staff) in literature, philosophy, critical thinking, and a generally broader look at human culture through all kinds of media. Think of it as a modern book club, where a small group of (aspiring) intellectuals get together to discuss not just books, but writers, comics, art, movies, essays, articles, and documentaries. Without experts or speakers. The topics include everything from philosophy to anthropology, cultural criticism, linguistics, logic, mythology, political ideologies, and metaphysics.

(Minimum 5, maximum 12 participants in the Steve Jobs room of the TU Library. Priority spots for students and staff, but all are welcome)

Credit to Dall-E for the cover image (and credit to all the unnamed artists whose work went into training Dall-E).