The Scientific and Cultural Agenda and Policy Implications of the Convergence Paradigm
May 4, 2006, Vienna, Austria; 19:00 - 20:30

Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Science and Cognitive Science are thought to be the S&T fields of the future, not least because of their expected convergence. What is behind this convergence paradigm? And what is / should be the role of the social sciences? The European Commission has called for the launching of a ‘Knowledge for Humankind Initiative’ in order to develop an integrated approach to phenomena of technological convergence, their shaping and implications. The ICCR is participating in a forerunner project for this initiative. The KNOWLEDGE NBIC project commenced in April 2006 and promises to deliver the knowledge necessary for understanding the convergence paradigm.

Upon occasion of the launching of this project, the ICCR Academy, in collaboration with the ICCR Foundation, invite you to a discussion.

Discussants

Prof. Steven Fuller, University of Warwick
Prof. Nico Stehr, Zeppelin University
Univ.-Doz. Dr. Ronald J. Pohoryles, ICCR

Moderator

Dr. Liana Giorgi, ICCR

Followed by drinks and snacks.

Venue

ICCR
Schottenfeldgasse 69/1
1070 Vienna, Austria
Directions

The Scientific and Cultural Agenda and Policy Implications of the Convergence Paradigm

The proposed convergence of the NBIC fields – nanotechnology, biotechnology, information science and cognitive science – promises a major reorganization of the sciences, to a large extent engineered by science policymakers, first at the National Science Foundation and, more recently the main science foundations of the European Union and Japan. Through these converging science fields, dramatic technological breakthroughs are envisioned that will allow us to modify our physical and mental capabilities, thus enhancing human performance. In other words, the NBIC convergence field has almost a ‘spiritualist’ agenda, namely, ‘transhumanism’.

Steve Fuller will be talking about why this convergence is being sought now, arguing that, in part, the convergence paradigm represents a ‘re-branding’ exercise for the physical sciences vis-à-vis the biomedical sciences. He will also point to a number of open questions that need to be explored about NBIC’s prospects for success.

Nico Stehr will be dealing with the question of whether the fruits of NBIC are more likely to create or heighten tensions in society and, in that, addressing the growing moral, political and economic pressure to regulate or police novel knowledge.

Ronald Pohoryles will consider the possible role of the social sciences in this new era of promised ‘transhumanism’ and explore parallel debates within the social sciences about trans-disciplinarity.

The Discussants

Nico Stehr is Karl Mannheim Professor of Cultural Studies at the Zeppelin University. He is the author of Wissenspolitik (2003), Knowledge (2005) and The Moralization of the Markets (2006).

Steve Fuller is Professor of Sociology at the University of Warwick. He is the author of The Philosophy of Science and Technology Studies (2006) and The New Sociological Imagination (2006).

Ronald J. Pohoryles is Director of the ICCR and the coordinator of a project on the future of the social sciences for the European Commission.

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