On Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 8 p.m. at the MJC in Chambéry, the scientific culture association Science Action is organizing a meeting on the theme "History of science: how did we arrive at our current knowledge?"
ABOUT THE MEETING
Science allows us to better understand the world we live in and advance technologies that make our daily lives easier. Unlike philosophy, which is based on logical reflection based on observed phenomena, science relies on the comparison of theories and experimental results. Even though there still seems to be an infinite amount left to discover, the knowledge currently provided by science is extraordinary and vast. For example, we are now able to determine the chemical composition of certain exoplanets, even though it took until 1995 to discover them.
In the field of biology, CRISPR technology allows DNA to be manipulated almost like a child playing with Lego bricks. And let's not forget how quickly COVID vaccines were developed, etc., etc. Of course, the list of all these magnificent achievements is too long to include here. What progress we have made since the prehistoric days of flint tools!
But how did we reach this level of knowledge? Is it the result of a slow evolution over the ages, or the fruit of a few genius minds? Does a certain degree of wealth need to exist for countries to devote resources to research? And, as an unfortunate corollary, given that the power of these countries often led them to be belligerent, did wars stimulate progress in knowledge and technology? Was there science before the Renaissance? And what about outside Europe? Above all, can we use the history of science to imagine what science will be like in the future and avoid certain mistakes of the past?
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
- Bertrand Favier, professor and researcher at the TIMC laboratory and lecturer in the history of science at the University of Grenoble Alpes (UGA).
- Frédéric Caille, Senior Lecturer at the Antoine Favre Law Research Center at the University of Monmouth
- Jean-Louis Coutaz, professor emeritus at the Center for Radio Frequencies, Optics, and Micro-Nanoelectronics of the Alps (CROMA) at the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis (UNS)
- Richard Taillet, professor at the Annecy-le-Vieux Laboratory of Theoretical Physics (LAPTh) at the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis (UNS)
ABOUT SCIENCE CAFÉS
Science Cafés allow the general public to discuss a wide range of topics, often related to current events, with experts and researchers in a friendly atmosphere. They are organized by the Science-Actions association, in collaboration with the University of Savoie Mont Blanc, the city of Chambéry, the Astrée cinema, and the MJC youth center in Chambéry.
These evenings are organized around the principle of a debate, which is based on questions asked by the audience to the speakers. They are neither lectures nor conferences given by a speaker. They allow everyone to form their own opinion on often complex subjects for which there is no simple or single solution. They also provide an opportunity to learn more about the research being carried out locally in the Chambéry area and neighboring regions by researchers, engineers, and doctors who volunteer their time to participate in our evenings.
Once a quarter, Cafés Science takes the form of a movie screening called Ciné Science. In this case, the film is shown at the Astrée cinema at 8:30 p.m. It is followed by a discussion with two or three experts on the film's theme.
Learn more
- Contact: Café Science Chambéry
- Discover the program for the 2024-2025 season!
- Visit the Science-Actions association website
- You can also find the video conferences on the Cafés Sciences YouTube channel.