Title:
The age of Trans-Science: Why should scientists talk with the public?

Tadashi Kobayashi Professor
Philosophy of Science, Science and Technology Studies, The Osaka University Center for the Study of Communication-Design

Abstract:
In the screening process for budget reduction last year, the super computer project was strongly criticized and became a focal point of discussion on the budget for science and technology in general. Though elite scientists including Nobel Prize laureates reacted strongly against the result of the screening, younger scientists were rather impressively self reflective and the public didn’t seem to support the elite scientists.
We are faced with a new situation where the traditional relation between science and society is rapidly changing. As science increasingly merging with technology became to play the role of promoter of national economy growth (innovation!), scientists are forced to confront a tough question that is, for what the research is.
In this lecture the history of the relation between science and society will be briefly reviewed and pointed out the core of the change and then the efforts of improving the relation between science and society will be discussed. Finally I will suggest that public dialogue is a new mission for scientists of today.