Seminar October 16th, 2007 --- G. H. Wolf, EESC --- Social Sciences for the Scientific Advancement Remarks of a Scientist Remarks of a Scientist Carrying

Seminar October 16th, 2007 --- G. H. Wolf, EESC --- Social Sciences for the Scientific AdvancementSeminar October 16th, 2007 --- G. H. Wolf, EESC --- Social Sciences for the Scientific Advancement

RemarksRemarks of a Scientist of a Scientist

Carrying Owls to Athens

Gerd H. WOLFGerd H. WOLFEuropean Economic and Social CommitteeEuropean Economic and Social Committee

Mainly based on:Mainly based on: - - OPINIONS of the European Economic and Social CommitteeOPINIONS of the European Economic and Social Committee - - A presentation by the same author at the A presentation by the same author at the „ „Science and Society Forum“, Brussels, MarchScience and Society Forum“, Brussels, March 2005 2005

Seminar - Social Sciences for the Scientific and Technological Advancement


Top performances in the scientific and technical field,

and their entrepreneurial conversion into a competitive, economic force,

are essential preconditions to safeguarding our future (not least with regard to energy and climate issues).

Some statements from the EESC´s „Own Initiative OPINION“

Investment in Knowledge and InnovationINT/325 --- CESE 983/2007 --- July 2007


The basic prerequisite for achieving this goal is a social climate that is open to progress and innovation,

in which society fully understands this and all its implications,

so that politicians at all levels create the necessary conditions and take decisions that are conducive to such progress.


This also includes raising awareness of the fundamental significance of basic research,

as this lays the necessary foundations for future innovations.


Most of the major discoveries and Most of the major discoveries and breakthroughs were the – often breakthroughs were the – often unexpected ! – outcome of unexpected ! – outcome of fundamental research.fundamental research.

A single new discovery or concept A single new discovery or concept snowballed into an avalanche of snowballed into an avalanche of innovations, advances and cross-innovations, advances and cross-fertilizations.fertilizations.

Nota bene:


As a result, the living conditions of people in the countries and regions involved have changed and improved as never before in human history.

In the last 135 years, the average life expectancy of the population has more than doubled.

In the last 50 years, agricultural yield in terms of surface area has almost trebled.


In the successful industrialised countries, the talk is now

of obesity rather than malnutrition,

of information overload rather than a lack of information, and

of an ageing population rather than child mortality.


The development of energy-consuming industrial processes, machines and transport systems made a decisive contribution to this.

Energy freed people from the burden of the heaviest physical labour, multiplied their productivity, provided heating and lighting, and made previously unimaginable mobility and communication possible.


Energy became the food and fuel of modern economies.


Looking backwards:

In the pre-industrial era humans too were used as engines and freight carriers.


Naval battle of Lepanto (Nafpaktos) 1571 (Doge´s Palace, Venice)

Venetian –Spanish fleet against the Turks

thousands of galley rowers


Hallstatt women carrying wooden containers of salt on their backs

Tread wheel driven crane

Bruges 1540

Just 100 years ago !

Seminar October 16th, 2007 --- G. H. Wolf, EESC --- Social Sciences for the Scientific AdvancementSeminar October 16th, 2007 --- G. H. Wolf, EESC --- Social Sciences for the Scientific AdvancementThe Fighting Temeraire, tugged to her Last Berth to be broken up - William Francis Turner 1838

DAWNING OF A NEW ERA


Message 1

Society needs to become better aware of the huge progress achieved, and this by comparison with the life conditions which existed before.


Message 2

Society needs to become familiar with the purpose, the working methods, the working conditions, the potential and the limitations of science and technology.


The perception of science and development by society

• purpose of science and development• working methods of science and development• support and governance of science and development• assessment and balance of risks and chances• capability to forecast the future


Purpose of science and development

The purpose of science and development is to create new and more profound knowledge, to develop new skills and capabilities, and to enrich our culture.

History has shown, that in the past the results of science and development promoted the well-being of mankind to a degree which was in former times unimaginable.


Working methods of science and development: What is Research 1

Advances are based onAdvances are based on

ingenuity, intuition, imagination, ingenuity, intuition, imagination,

continuity, persistence, care, continuity, persistence, care,

chance and hard work,chance and hard work,

but also on novel instruments and devices.but also on novel instruments and devices.

RESEARCH IS THE STEP INTO THE UNKNOWN !!!


Working methods of science and development

•the interplay between hypothesis, experiment and criticism•groping in the mist •following hunches•compiling and collating data•finding new signals•detecting inconsistencies•tracing underlying patterns

•recognising correlationsrecognising correlations•developing mathematicaldeveloping mathematical models, models, •developing concepts anddeveloping concepts and symbolssymbols•developing new equipmentdeveloping new equipment•searching for simple solutionssearching for simple solutions and harmonyand harmony•confirming, extrapolating,confirming, extrapolating, generalising and reproducinggeneralising and reproducing

What is research 2 ?


Working methods of science and development

The crucial feature is the step from the The crucial feature is the step from the scientific quest phase to the reproducibility of scientific quest phase to the reproducibility of findings and demonstration of their range of findings and demonstration of their range of validity. validity.

Duplication is an essential element of scientific Duplication is an essential element of scientific method.method. It is the only guarantee against errors, It is the only guarantee against errors, assertions or even falsification. assertions or even falsification.

It serves the consolidation, deepening and It serves the consolidation, deepening and disseminationdissemination of knowledge. of knowledge.

WHY DUPLICATION ?


What are the best working conditions for science ?

“Bottom-up" approach as often as possible and "top-down" approach only where absolutely necessary.

Self organisation operating in

-- cooperation on pooling resources, exchanging information and complementing expertise, but

-- competition for the best ideas, results, methods, facilities, structures and talent.


What are the best working conditions for science 3 ?

Citation from OPINION INT/358 (CESE 1141/2007):

Only a plurality of methods, approaches and choice of issues can ensure the best outcomes, procedures and innovations in each case.

Plurality is not wasteful, but is a necessary means of optimising and making progress in the search for new knowledge and techniques. (Competitive evolution)


What are the best working conditions for What are the best working conditions for science 4 ?science 4 ?

FreedomFreedom Self-organizationSelf-organization Continuity and reliability Continuity and reliability

of supportof support Long-range perspective, Long-range perspective,

yet possibility to change yet possibility to change coursecourse

A stimulating, A stimulating, multidisciplinary multidisciplinary environment, yet environment, yet possibility to withdrawpossibility to withdraw

Reducing the excess in procedures for:

Applications Reporting Monitoring Refereeing Administration

Scientists need Scientists need time for time for research !research !


Two remarks about risks

1.1.The risk potential of new ideas, The risk potential of new ideas, technologies or research programmes technologies or research programmes cannot in principle be fully assessed on an cannot in principle be fully assessed on an objective basis. objective basis. (What will be the impact (What will be the impact of successful geriatric research?)of successful geriatric research?)

2. With the knowledge of that time 2. With the knowledge of that time (Jenner),(Jenner), would present society still permit the test would present society still permit the test of smallpox vaccination? Or rather, of smallpox vaccination? Or rather, would smallpox still be with us?would smallpox still be with us?

Risk and chance are two sides of the same coin.


Can science forecast the future ?

Only in well-defined, limited cases, and only Only in well-defined, limited cases, and only for a well-defined time-scalefor a well-defined time-scale

Obstacles are:Obstacles are: Limited dataLimited data ComplexityComplexity Chaos (deterministic chaos)Chaos (deterministic chaos) Quantum effectsQuantum effects

By and large, this also holds true for By and large, this also holds true for politics. Politics means acting on behalf of politics. Politics means acting on behalf of society and inevitably also includes society and inevitably also includes experimenting with society.experimenting with society.


END


How to find theseHow to find these OPINIONS in the OPINIONS in the InternetInternet

• http://www.toad.eesc.europa.eu/

• under documents > OPINIONS

• choose language

• insert < Wolf > for „rapporteur“

• select document


APPENDIX


Science and InnovationScience and Innovation

A Scientist's ViewA Scientist's View

Gerd Wolf, Science and Society Forum 2005, March 10th


Where do we stand nowWhere do we stand now?? Citizens of the EU have achieved a Citizens of the EU have achieved a

level of prosperity, knowledge and level of prosperity, knowledge and legal certainty which is unprecedented legal certainty which is unprecedented in the history of their nations.in the history of their nations.

Over the last century, average life Over the last century, average life expectancy has increased by about 30 expectancy has increased by about 30 years. years.

Over the last 50 years, agricultural Over the last 50 years, agricultural yields have almost tripled .yields have almost tripled . W We now e now discuss obesity rather than discuss obesity rather than malnutrition.malnutrition.


What are our capabilitiesWhat are our capabilities ? (1) ? (1)

We keep ourselves informed and in We keep ourselves informed and in touch with the whole worldtouch with the whole world (INTERNET).(INTERNET).

We land a research robot on one of We land a research robot on one of Saturn's moons.Saturn's moons.

We observe galaxies billions of light We observe galaxies billions of light years away.years away.

We measure femtoseconds and minute We measure femtoseconds and minute quantities of trace elements.quantities of trace elements.

We navigate our cars by satellite.We navigate our cars by satellite.


What are our capabilitiesWhat are our capabilities ? (2) ? (2) We develop and use super-computers.We develop and use super-computers. We build aircraft capable of carrying We build aircraft capable of carrying

more than 500 passengers.more than 500 passengers. We use X-rays and magnetic We use X-rays and magnetic

resonance imaging to scan the human resonance imaging to scan the human body.body.

We transplant organs, analyse DNA, We transplant organs, analyse DNA, genetically modify crops and livestock, genetically modify crops and livestock, and conduct research on stem cells.and conduct research on stem cells.

Painless open-heart surgery has Painless open-heart surgery has become commonplace.become commonplace.


ThenThen

What are the questions?What are the questions?

Where are the problems ?Where are the problems ?


One One AnswerAnswer

Many fundamental questions are Many fundamental questions are waiting to be answered (e.g. dark waiting to be answered (e.g. dark matter, nature of quantum physics, matter, nature of quantum physics, brain and individual,…).brain and individual,…).

Many problems are waiting to be Many problems are waiting to be solved (e.g. climate, energy supply, solved (e.g. climate, energy supply, health,…).health,…).


One Problem One Problem Area: Science and SocietyArea: Science and Society Society’s perception of science Society’s perception of science

(achievements, potential, dangers) and of the (achievements, potential, dangers) and of the necessary working conditions.necessary working conditions.

Interaction between science and society.Interaction between science and society.Note, however, that scientists are part of Note, however, that scientists are part of society.society.

Scientists need to learn about the demands Scientists need to learn about the demands and concerns of society, but society also and concerns of society, but society also needs to learn about the required operating needs to learn about the required operating conditions for science.conditions for science. I will not mainly address this problem – I will not mainly address this problem – which is done by other speakers – but rather which is done by other speakers – but rather focus on another problem area : invention / focus on another problem area : invention / innovation .innovation .


CompetitionCompetition and Innovation (1) and Innovation (1) A crucial determinant of Europe's future A crucial determinant of Europe's future

development and position is global development and position is global competition. competition.

This competition is characterized by changing This competition is characterized by changing industrial and economic structures, labour industrial and economic structures, labour market situation and raw material market situation and raw material parameters.parameters.

On scientific and technological performance On scientific and technological performance hinge not only economic competitiveness and hinge not only economic competitiveness and the resulting attraction for investors, the resulting attraction for investors, scientists and engineers, but also cultural and scientists and engineers, but also cultural and political status and influence.political status and influence.


CompetitionCompetition and Innovation (2) and Innovation (2) Growth, success and economic strength – Growth, success and economic strength –

and the resultant capacity for social services and the resultant capacity for social services and cultural developmentand cultural development – depend – depend essentially on innovation.essentially on innovation.

Innovation needs not only investment in Innovation needs not only investment in research and technological development but research and technological development but also optimized working conditions for also optimized working conditions for science and research.science and research.

The European Research Area was conceived The European Research Area was conceived to meet that challenge, to join forces and to to meet that challenge, to join forces and to create a European added value.create a European added value.


Addressing some questions Addressing some questions related to science and innovationrelated to science and innovation

What are the sources of innovation ?What are the sources of innovation ? What is basic research ?What is basic research ? Do we need duplication ?Do we need duplication ? Can science forecast the future ?Can science forecast the future ? What are the best working conditions ?What are the best working conditions ? How do we couple science and How do we couple science and

technology, academia and industry technology, academia and industry ??


What are the sources of innovationWhat are the sources of innovation ? ?(1)(1)

Most of the major discoveries and Most of the major discoveries and breakthroughs were the – often breakthroughs were the – often unexpected – outcome of unexpected – outcome of fundamental research.fundamental research.

A single new discovery or concept A single new discovery or concept can snowball into an avalanche of can snowball into an avalanche of innovations, advances and cross-innovations, advances and cross-fertilizations.fertilizations.



Examples are: Examples are:

electricity, fertilizers, radio-waves, electricity, fertilizers, radio-waves, vacuum tubes, thermodynamics, x-vacuum tubes, thermodynamics, x-rays, nuclear energy, penicillin, rays, nuclear energy, penicillin, magnetic nuclear resonance, magnetic nuclear resonance, polyethylene polyethylene , semi-conductors, DNA, , semi-conductors, DNA, lasers, computer chips, genes, GPS, lasers, computer chips, genes, GPS, nanotechnology, .....nanotechnology, .....



To permit a targeted approach, To permit a targeted approach, objectives must be defined and the objectives must be defined and the way ahead needs to be sufficiently way ahead needs to be sufficiently clear. clear.

Science and technology benefit from Science and technology benefit from each other through continuous each other through continuous symbiosis.symbiosis.

In the meantime, these relations have In the meantime, these relations have also been re-acknowledged by politicsalso been re-acknowledged by politics


Example:Example: Opening speech of the German Opening speech of the German Chancellor celebrating the Einstein YearChancellor celebrating the Einstein Year

““The example of Einstein makes it clear that The example of Einstein makes it clear that only freedom of thought and research, freedom only freedom of thought and research, freedom from governmental regimentation and from governmental regimentation and economic dependence, enabled his momentous economic dependence, enabled his momentous achievements. achievements.

This is why we can say that only basic research This is why we can say that only basic research …………..is in a position to provide the most …………..is in a position to provide the most important raw material for future prosperity – important raw material for future prosperity – new knowledge”new knowledge”..


continued:continued: ““It must, of course, be our goal to convert It must, of course, be our goal to convert

scientific findings into innovations more rapidly scientific findings into innovations more rapidly than in the past. than in the past.

At the same time, however, basic research At the same time, however, basic research needs the certainty of being able to work needs the certainty of being able to work without the pressure of immediate without the pressure of immediate exploitability and without the constraint of exploitability and without the constraint of continually demonstrating utility.”continually demonstrating utility.”

““When Einstein formulated the basic equation When Einstein formulated the basic equation for the laser in 1916, he did not have the for the laser in 1916, he did not have the faintest idea of the innovation that would faintest idea of the innovation that would follow five decades later”.follow five decades later”.Please note that the “laser equation” was only Please note that the “laser equation” was only one of his many discoveries, and that Einstein one of his many discoveries, and that Einstein was an excellent communicator !was an excellent communicator !


Advances in science are based on ingenuity, intuition, Advances in science are based on ingenuity, intuition, imagination, continuity, persistence, care, chance and hard work, imagination, continuity, persistence, care, chance and hard work,

but also on novel instruments and devices.but also on novel instruments and devices.

What is basic research? What is basic research? a step into the unknowna step into the unknown the interplay between the interplay between

hypothesis, experiment hypothesis, experiment and criticismand criticism

groping in the mist groping in the mist following hunchesfollowing hunches compiling and collating compiling and collating

datadata finding new signalsfinding new signals detecting inconsistenciesdetecting inconsistencies tracing underlying tracing underlying

patternspatterns

recognising correlationsrecognising correlations developing mathematical developing mathematical

models, models, developing concepts and developing concepts and

symbolssymbols developing new developing new

equipmentequipment searching for simple searching for simple

solutions and harmonysolutions and harmony confirming, extrapolating, confirming, extrapolating,

generalising and generalising and reproducingreproducing


Why duplicationWhy duplication ? ?

The crucial feature of scientific knowledge is The crucial feature of scientific knowledge is the step from the scientific quest phase to the the step from the scientific quest phase to the reproducibility of findings and demonstration reproducibility of findings and demonstration of their range of validity. of their range of validity.

Duplication is an essential element of Duplication is an essential element of scientific method and progress. It is the (only) scientific method and progress. It is the (only) guarantee against errors, assertions or even guarantee against errors, assertions or even falsification. falsification.

It serves the consolidation, deepening and It serves the consolidation, deepening and dissemination of knowledge.dissemination of knowledge.

Nature decides and confirms.Nature decides and confirms.


Can science forecast the future ?Can science forecast the future ?

Only in well-defined, limited cases, and only Only in well-defined, limited cases, and only for a well-defined time-scalefor a well-defined time-scale

Obstacles are:Obstacles are: Limited dataLimited data ComplexityComplexity Chaos (deterministic chaos)Chaos (deterministic chaos) Quantum effectsQuantum effects

By and large, this also holds true for By and large, this also holds true for politics. Politics means acting on behalf of politics. Politics means acting on behalf of society and inevitably also includes society and inevitably also includes experimenting with society.experimenting with society.


What are the best working conditions What are the best working conditions for science ? for science ?

““Bottom-up" approach as often as possible and "top-Bottom-up" approach as often as possible and "top-down" approach only where necessarydown" approach only where necessary

FreedomFreedom Self-organizationSelf-organization Continuity and reliability Continuity and reliability

of supportof support Long-range perspective, Long-range perspective,

yet possibility to change yet possibility to change coursecourse

A stimulating, A stimulating, multidisciplinary multidisciplinary environment, yet environment, yet possibility to withdrawpossibility to withdraw

Reducing the excess in Reducing the excess in procedures for:procedures for:

ApplicationsApplications ReportingReporting MonitoringMonitoring RefereeingRefereeing AdministrationAdministration

Scientists need Scientists need time for time for research !research !


How to better couple science and How to better couple science and technology, academia and industry technology, academia and industry ? (1)? (1)

The best carriers of knowledge are the The best carriers of knowledge are the heads of the experts.heads of the experts.

Therefore, we need laboratories for basic Therefore, we need laboratories for basic and for applied research working side-by-and for applied research working side-by-side to stimulate frequent contacts.side to stimulate frequent contacts.

Therefore, we need instruments and social Therefore, we need instruments and social boundary conditions which stimulate the boundary conditions which stimulate the exchange of personnel between academia exchange of personnel between academia (e.g. technical universities) and industry.(e.g. technical universities) and industry.


How to better couple science and How to better couple science and technology, academia and industry technology, academia and industry ? (2)? (2) We need more R&D performed in We need more R&D performed in

industry and experts working there.industry and experts working there. Industry needs to be receptive.Industry needs to be receptive. Industry needs incentives (e.g. tax Industry needs incentives (e.g. tax

regulations) to better fulfil its part of regulations) to better fulfil its part of the task. This holds in particular for the task. This holds in particular for SMEs.SMEs.

Industry needs protection against Industry needs protection against overregulation concerning novel overregulation concerning novel products.products.


Community Patent, Community Patent, LanguageLanguage We urgently need a Community We urgently need a Community

Patent. Patent. We need a grace period for We need a grace period for

patent-applications.patent-applications. We need to use a common second We need to use a common second

language throughout Europe, as is language throughout Europe, as is already the case within the already the case within the technical-scientific community technical-scientific community ((EnglishEnglish). ).


Some further proposalsSome further proposals

Science as a profession – including contracts Science as a profession – including contracts of service – must be made more attractive.of service – must be made more attractive.

The rules of the Single Market have to The rules of the Single Market have to stimulate, rather than to discourage mobility. stimulate, rather than to discourage mobility. The remaining barriers within the Single The remaining barriers within the Single Market have to be removed.Market have to be removed.

Competition between research systems and Competition between research systems and institutions for the best structure, methods, institutions for the best structure, methods, facilities and personnel policy must be facilities and personnel policy must be allowed, stimulated and supported.allowed, stimulated and supported.


Research policy and the interest of society, Research policy and the interest of society, a thorny issue.a thorny issue.

Interaction between science and society – Interaction between science and society – where appropriate by legislation and through where appropriate by legislation and through governmental authorities – mostly concernsgovernmental authorities – mostly concerns

type and extent of research funding, type and extent of research funding, research objectives and subjects,research objectives and subjects, evaluation of research findings,evaluation of research findings, people involved in research, and people involved in research, and how far research is or should be steered in a how far research is or should be steered in a

particular direction.particular direction.

Science delivers the knowledge, industry Science delivers the knowledge, industry delivers the products, but citizen and society delivers the products, but citizen and society

decide on the use.decide on the use. I will I will not dig deeper into this broad subjectnot dig deeper into this broad subject..


But one should bear in mind (1)But one should bear in mind (1) that the scientific community is generally that the scientific community is generally

earlier aware of upcoming chances, earlier aware of upcoming chances, opportunities or risks of new discoveries and of opportunities or risks of new discoveries and of new technologies.new technologies.

that the risk potential (of new ideas, that the risk potential (of new ideas, technologies or research programmes) cannot technologies or research programmes) cannot in principle be fully assessed on an objective in principle be fully assessed on an objective basis. basis. ((What will be the impact of successful What will be the impact of successful geriatric research?)geriatric research?)

that the scientific community knows – that the scientific community knows – relativelyrelatively – best how to carry out research, – best how to carry out research, and which issues to address.and which issues to address.


But one should bear in mind (2)But one should bear in mind (2) that self organisation in science operates in that self organisation in science operates in

the area of conflict between cooperation the area of conflict between cooperation and competition , i.e.and competition , i.e. -- cooperation on pooling resources, cooperation on pooling resources, exchanging information and exchanging information and complementing expertise, butcomplementing expertise, but- competition for the best ideas, results, - competition for the best ideas, results, methods and structures.methods and structures.

that the main task of politics should be to that the main task of politics should be to - - decide on the allocated support , and decide on the allocated support , and - ensure that self organisation and self - ensure that self organisation and self control of science are effective, and that control of science are effective, and that competition rules the game.competition rules the game.


SummarySummary Complete the Single Market.Complete the Single Market. Complete the European Research Area.Complete the European Research Area. Double the EU R&D budget and raise the corresponding Double the EU R&D budget and raise the corresponding

national R&D budgets.national R&D budgets. Provide incentives for more R&D in industry (and Provide incentives for more R&D in industry (and

SMEs).SMEs). >> Reach the 3% (of GDP) goal. >> Reach the 3% (of GDP) goal. Stimulate the interplay between basic research, applied Stimulate the interplay between basic research, applied

research and product development. research and product development. Stimulate mobility between academia and industry.Stimulate mobility between academia and industry. Protect against overregulation and excess bureaucracy.Protect against overregulation and excess bureaucracy. Provide optimal working conditions for R&D.Provide optimal working conditions for R&D. Provide more attractive contracts of employment.Provide more attractive contracts of employment. Acknowledge the basics of science and research – Acknowledge the basics of science and research –

freedom, autonomy, excellence, competition, freedom, autonomy, excellence, competition, cooperation.cooperation.

AcceptAccept: : NO CHANCE WITHOUT RISKNO CHANCE WITHOUT RISK

Documents

Seminar October 16th, 2007 --- G. H. Wolf, EESC --- Social Sciences for the Scientific Advancement Remarks of a Scientist Remarks of a Scientist Carrying