The preconditions for scientific insights, 10.1.2025

Time: Friday, 10 January 2025, 10:00-11.15

Place: Studium 1, University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00100 Helsinki

The event is part of the Helsinki Science Forum 2025.

A mix of material, social, and intellectual factors make scientific insights possible. Yet, the historical and social aspects of creativity often take a backseat to the idea of individual brilliance, perpetuated not least by the scientists themselves. They range from psychological factors to the structures of higher education and society’s varying attitudes toward scientific practices.

In this discussion, we will explore examples of these preconditions and discuss how they change over time. Panelists will shed light on the topic from the viewpoint of their respective disciplines of psychology, physics and history.

Panelists:

  • Moderator: Stefan Nygård (University of Helsinki)
  • Professor emerita Lea Pulkkinen (University of Jyväskylä)
  • Professor emeritus Risto Nieminen (Aalto University)
  • Professor Johan Östling (Lund University)

The event is part of the project History of Science in Finland that aims at a comprehensive mapping of scientific life in the republic of Finland since 1918. The project is jointly supported by the two national academies of science: The Finnish Academy of Science and Letters and The Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters. Read more: History of Science