BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//ĢƵ//NONSGML v1.0//EN NAME:PhD defence M. Borowski METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20250915T134500 DTEND:20250915T151500 DTSTAMP:20250915T134500 UID:2025/phd-defence-m-borowski@8F96275E-9F55-4B3F-A143-836282E12573 CREATED:20250904T045355 LOCATION:(1st floor) Auditorium, Main building De Boelelaan 1105 1081 HV Amsterdam SUMMARY:PhD defence M. Borowski X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

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Being Human in an Age o f Science

Grasping, Conceptualizing and Engaging with the Science Imaginary

Unspoken, unexamined a ssumptions play an important role in describing our humanity, says Mi chael Borowski. To better study these assumptions, he introduces the 'science imaginary'.

“I investigate how natural scie ntific and theological disciplines shape contemporary understandings of what it means to be human. By analysing influential textbooks in t he life sciences and Protestant theology, my research examines how th ese fields construct their accounts of human nature. The aim was to u nderstand not only what these disciplines say about human beings, but also how their implicit assumptions shape academic and public discou rse.”

Hidden assumptions

“In both di sciplines, authoritative claims about human nature rely on shared but often unexamined assumptions. I introduce the concept of the ‘scie nce imaginary’ to describe the often unspoken frameworks that guide scientific thought and practice. Drawing on Charles Taylor’s notio n of the social imaginary, my study explores how implicit visions inf luence both knowledge production and cultural authority in science an d theology. This helps explain why certain views become dominant and why others are excluded.”

“The findings highlight the impor tance of recognising the hidden assumptions that shape expert knowled ge in areas such as health, ethics, and human identity. This has impl ications for education, public policy, and interfaith or interdiscipl inary dialogue. For example, biology teaching could benefit from grea ter awareness of the frameworks shaping scientific narratives about l ife and the human being.”

A tool for more transparent and inclusive conversations

“The concept of the sci ence imaginary provides a tool for navigating debates where science i s invoked as unquestioned authority, such as during public health cri ses or ethical discussions involving technology. The research sheds l ight on current issues of trust in science and offers ways to foster more transparent and inclusive conversations. That becomes more and m ore important, as technology (and the science behind it) plays a bigg er role in modern life.”

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Grasping, Conceptualizing and Engaging with t he Science Imaginary

Unspoken, unexamined assum ptions play an important role in describing our humanity, says Michae l Borowski. To better study these assumptions, he introduces the 'sci ence 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 sc iences 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, authoritati ve claims about human nature rely on shared but often unexamined assu mptions. I introduce the concept of the ‘science imaginary’ to de scribe the often unspoken frameworks that guide scientific thought an d practice. Drawing on Charles Taylor’s notion of the social imagin ary, 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 exclude d.” “The findings highlight the importance of recognising the hid den assumptions that shape expert knowledge in areas such as health, ethics, and human identity. This has implications for education, publ ic policy, and interfaith or interdisciplinary dialogue. For example, biology teaching could benefit from greater awareness of the framewo rks 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 navig ating debates where science is invoked as unquestioned authority, suc h as during public health crises or ethical discussions involving tec hnology. The research sheds light on current issues of trust in scien ce and offers ways to foster more transparent and inclusive conversat ions. That becomes more and more important, as technology (and the sc ience behind it) plays a bigger role in modern life.” Being Human i n an Age of Science END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR