Grasping, Conceptualizing and Engaging with the Science Imaginary
Unspoken, unexamined assumptions play an important role in describing our humanity, says Michael Borowski. To better study these assumptions, he introduces the 'science imaginary'.
“I investigate how natural scientific and theological disciplines shape contemporary understandings of what it means to be human. By analysing influential textbooks in the life sciences and Protestant theology, my research examines how these fields construct their accounts of human nature. The aim was to understand not only what these disciplines say about human beings, but also how their implicit assumptions shape academic and public discourse.”
Hidden assumptions
“In both disciplines, authoritative claims about human nature rely on shared but often unexamined assumptions. I introduce the concept of the ‘science imaginary’ to describe the often unspoken frameworks that guide scientific thought and practice. Drawing on Charles Taylor’s notion of the social imaginary, my study explores how implicit visions influence both knowledge production and cultural authority in science and theology. This helps explain why certain views become dominant and why others are excluded.”
“The findings highlight the importance of recognising the hidden assumptions that shape expert knowledge in areas such as health, ethics, and human identity. This has implications for education, public policy, and interfaith or interdisciplinary dialogue. For example, biology teaching could benefit from greater awareness of the frameworks shaping scientific narratives about life and the human being.”
A tool for more transparent and inclusive conversations
“The concept of the science imaginary provides a tool for navigating debates where science is invoked as unquestioned authority, such as during public health crises or ethical discussions involving technology. The research sheds light on current issues of trust in science and offers ways to foster more transparent and inclusive conversations. That becomes more and more important, as technology (and the science behind it) plays a bigger role in modern life.”