Speaking of 'alternative facts' raises questions about legitimate claims to truth and knowledge, which have to be clarified due to their enormous relevance for society.
What is the role of the sciences and their ability to provide methodologically reliable knowledge in judgement formations? How can hostility towards science be reduced and how can a trustful relation between science and society be preserved without giving way to populist simplifications? These are the central questions of the anthology Vom Umgang mit Fakten. Antworten aus Natur-, Sozial- und Geisteswissenschaften (ed. by Günter Blamberger, Axel Freimuth and Peter Strohschneider. Paderborn: Wilhelm Fink 2018), to which renowned German scholars and scientists from the natural sciences, humanities and social sciences try to answer with case studies from their own discipline.
Panel discussion with Peter Strohschneider (President Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft), Axel Freimuth (Rector University of Cologne) and Günter Blamberger (University of Cologne), referring to their recently edited anthology Vom Umgang mit Fakten. Antworten aus Natur-, Sozial- und Geisteswissenschaften. Moderated by Volker Stollorz (Science Media Center Germany) and followed by an open discussion.