The lecture discusses various scientific methods from ancient Greece to contemporary science. We will ask how pratical methods such as observation, statistics, travelling, collecting, measuring or experimenting established new scientific perspectives on the world. Thus, we will focus on scientific technics and practical methods of representation within their historical context.

Everybody talks about the "Wissengesellschaft". But where is the link between knowldege, discourse, thinking and talking? According to Michel Polanyi there is an implicit knowledge - apart from explicit forms of knowing - "that is not to expressed in words". The seminar exploresPolanyi’s work with regard to the modern "Wissensgesellschaft".

At the latest since the anthropogenically caused climate change, traditional notions of human beings have become cracked. This raises the question of our role in nature. Some talk about decentering man, others abiut a revolt against humanity or even its its complete disappearance. Strong stuff - and therefore the goal of the seminar will be to get a better understanding of these new views of man.

The distinction between two differnet cultures –Natur(wissenschaft) versus Kultur(wissenschaft) – is a widespread phenomenon. In the seminar we will discuss varrious texts and sources concerning the history of this separation process (from the 19th to present times). What are useful and reasonable criteria in order to understand the relation between the sciences and the humanties?

Trust in the sciences has come under pressure recently. This is unfortunate, because scientific research is not possible without trust. Therefore, we will discuss the variable role of trust in science in historical, epistemological and political perspective.

Anthropology as a scientific discipline is a brainchild of European Enlightenment and has formed the modern view of human beings in an often very problematic way. In this seminar we will discuss the most important anthropological theories and practices in historical context.

The aim of this lecture is to introduce into the most important theories of life from ancient times until the early 21st century. I will put a focus on philosophical concepts and on the modern life sciences since Chalres Darwin.

What constitues the sciences? And how do they differ from other forms of knowledge (daily experience, technology)? These questions have been an ongoing challenge both for philosophy and history. The seminar will focus on theories that link philosophical refelections with the historical framework of the sciences.