Truth by war: Reducing uncertainty by violence
Type
conference contribution
Date Issued
2024-09-09
Author(s)
Abstract
Uncertainty is often considered to be a problem, meaning that it should be avoided. At the same time, uncertainty is a necessary condition for profit and for many social activities like art and sport. A societal analysis centered around uncertainty is presented, zooming in on the role of uncertainty in relation to truth. Historically the question of right and wrong, and even truth, was a matter of struggle and even open conflict. Early scientists like Galileo Galilei experienced what it meant to challenge received ideas of truth. Also at the individual level, the truth was determined as the outcome of a conflict, for example, in the form of a duel. The outcome of the duel determined what should prevail, and this settled the issue, and reduced the uncertainty about what was right and wrong.Science is another way of determining what is true and false, though normative issues normally are bracketed. Science let truth grow in a collective process of mutual adjustment. The talk addresses ways to find out what is true and false. The two contrasting cases of war and science are analyzed to understand how uncertainty can be reduced in different ways.
Language
English (United States)
Keywords
uncertainty
ambiguity
HSG Classification
contribution to practical use / society
Pages
5
Event Title
SSA Congress 2024
Event Location
Basel
Event Date
9.-11.9.24
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
open.access
Name
24 SSA Conference Basel_Aspers Uncertainty .pptx
Size
641.15 KB
Format
Microsoft Powerpoint XML
Checksum (MD5)
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