Scientific Freedom under Attack: Political Oppression, Structural Challenges, and Intellectual Resistance in Modern and Contemporary History

Politicians have made antiintellectual outbursts, there have been threats against radical scholars, and scientific freedom has been seriously harmed in recent years. "Scientific Freedom under Attack" is an edited volume that examines the political and structural challenges that scientific production and critical thinking continue to face, from the early nineteenth century to the neoliberal era.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 06 August 2021
Publisher: Campus Verlag

The alarming surge in anti-intellectual outbursts by politicians, documented threats against radical scholars across continents, and severe assaults on the fundamental right of scientific freedom have been witnessed in recent years. Scientific Freedom Under Attack is an edited volume that brings together the proceedings of the international conference titled "The Problems of Scientific Freedoms in Modern and Contemporary History," which was held at the Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main in November 2018. Spanning a vast geographic and temporal expanse, from the early nineteenth century to the Cold War and into the neoliberal era, this volume offers a comprehensive and insightful panorama of the political and structural challenges that scientific production and critical thinking continue to face. As these forces persist in attacking scientific freedom, this volume provides essential and critical analysis of their emergence.

The conference, attended by scholars from various regions and disciplines, aimed to explore the historical and contemporary challenges to scientific freedom. The proceedings shed light on the historical roots of scientific repression, including the suppression of knowledge and ideas during authoritarian regimes and the persecution of scientists during political conflicts. The conference also examined the contemporary threats to scientific freedom, including government censorship, restrictions on research funding, and the rise of anti-science rhetoric and ideology.

One of the key themes of the conference was the role of universities and academic institutions in promoting scientific freedom. Scholars emphasized the importance of academic autonomy, freedom of expression, and the right to engage in critical thinking and research. They also discussed the challenges faced by researchers in countries with limited academic freedom, such as China and Russia, and the efforts of international organizations and networks to support and defend scientific freedom.

Another important theme of the conference was the intersection of scientific freedom with other human rights, such as freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of religion. Scholars argued that scientific freedom is essential for the development of democratic societies and for the advancement of knowledge and innovation. They also emphasized the need to protect scientific freedom from encroachment by corporate interests, religious fundamentalism, and other forms of political and ideological control.

The conference proceedings include a wide range of scholarly contributions, including research papers, essays, and case studies. The topics covered include the history of scientific repression, the role of universities in promoting scientific freedom, the challenges faced by researchers in authoritarian regimes, the intersection of scientific freedom with other human rights, and the efforts to defend scientific freedom in the face of contemporary threats.

Overall, Scientific Freedom Under Attack serves as a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and policymakers interested in understanding the historical and contemporary challenges to scientific freedom. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the political and structural factors that contribute to the repression of knowledge and ideas, and it offers practical recommendations for promoting and defending scientific freedom in the face of these challenges.

Weight: 326g
Dimension: 142 x 213 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783593513119