Veranstaltung: presentation on “Stem cell research. The intersection of scientific facts and social values” by Christine Hauskeller at Bielefeld University

Christine Hauskeller (Exeter) will be giving a presentation on “Stem cell research. The intersection of scientific facts and social values” on Tuesday July 10th 2018, 16-18 at Bielefeld University, Room C01-136 (UHG).

Following several projects over 20 years on developments in stem cell research have produced a complex matrix of different factors that shape the genesis of this field. This talk presents the most recent findings and observations to then reflect on approaches in empirical philosophy of science. One key discussion point concerns whether integration of the multiple mutual influences between values, cultural and scientific practices and epistemology into one rationale is possible and desirable. I argue that the heterogeneous logics of values involved resist a unified philosophical meta-concept that could provide insights or reflective power beyond the critical potential of the grounded, empirical studies.

The presentation is followed by a workshop: “Empirical Methods and Normative Issues in Philosophy of Science” on Wednesday July 11th 2018, 9:15-13:15  at Bielefeld University, Room T2-214

Philosophical enquiry into the life sciences is largely split up in two hardly related sub-disciplines: philosophy of science and bioethics. Both have strong naturalistic tendencies and difficulties to reflect two other relevant dimensions, namely how socio-economic and political dynamics on the one hand and the philosophical enquiry itself on the other hand shape life science research and its societal understanding. In this workshop we wish to integrate epistemological and ethical issues, and include biopolitical and self-critical reflections to understand a broader set of options for studies in the philosophy of the life sciences. The life science example will be stem cell research.

Christine Hauskeller has a track record of research in philosophy of science and technology, ethics and feminist philosophy. Of special interest for the workshop are her empirical philosophical studies on the processes of knowledge and value creation. Starting points for the discussion will be a pre-read case study on stem cell research, two comments and three short input talks.

Workshop Programme:

9:15 – 9:30 Christine Hauskeller: Science in Touch. Functions of Biomedical Terminology, Philosophy and Biology 20(4):815-835, 2005, DOI 10.1007/s10539-004-2280-x,

9:30 – 9:40 Commentary Ralf Stoecker

9:40 – 9:50 Commentary Marie Kaiser

9:50 – 10:30 Discussion

10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break

11:00 – 11:15 Saana Jukola: tba

11:15 – 11:30 Anja Pichl: The promise of speeding up – translational medicine

11:30 – 11:45 Daria Jadreškić: Identifying normative issues: some methodological considerations

11:45 – 13:15 Discussion   

Organisation: Anja Pichl, Marie Kaiser, Ralf Stoecker. Please register and direct any question at: a.pichl@uni-bielefeld.de. Even though the topic of the talk is closely related to the workshop topic, both events stand on their own and everybody is invited to participate also in only one of them.