Science – courage or fatigue?

There was melancholy above this Leibniztag. Celebration mood didn’t really seem to be coming up in the large hall of the concert hall at the Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin. It was important to appreciate a proud date: 325 years of science academy on the banks of the Spree. Perhaps it was an individual misconception of the observer, eye and ear stuff of the ceremony last Saturday? However, too often, “courage and confidence” were conjured up in the speeches.

Certainly, the present is unquanted. We live in uncertain times. Like our ancestors Anno dazumal, in 1812, when the science academy, when the first day of Leibnit, in honor of its founder, the last German universal scholar Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646–1716), committed and decided to do this regularly to “preserve their historical memory”, as Christoph Markschies, President of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Wissenschaft (Bbaw), noted in his lecture. The former principal of the Humboldt University, now in the fifth year at the head of the BBAW, whose domicile is opposite the Schinkel Schauspielhaus on the Gendarmenmarkt, emphasized that one wanted to be based on Nietzsche’s credo, “as you do not celebrate”: Ego not to be satisfied with grateful ruminations, but to look ahead, but to look ahead.

After the shameful defeat in the double battle of Jena and Auerstedt and Napoleon’s triumphals in Berlin through the Brandenburg Gate in 1806, Agonie in Prussia ruled. To brave men, namely Karl Freiherr from and to the stone and Karl August von Hardenberg, reforms – a classic “revolution from above”. Markschies chose the metaphor to “pull himself out of the swamp with the crest”. In the following years, ministerial decrees, albeit with royal blessing, to liberate the farmers, trade, city and voting rights reform, abolition of internal duties and finally the emancipation edict for the Jewish citizens, were released in Stakkato. According to Markschies, an urgent need for reform would also currently exist after years of “blockages”. The BBAW, which sees itself as a “reform academy”, wants to convey “courage and confidence” for this.

In his lecture, the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner, added this word to the synonym optimism, which he hoped for by the academics to cope with upcoming tasks. “At that time one spoke of state reforms, today we are talking about administrative reforms. And this for 25 years, “admitted the Christian Democratic politician, who also let the illustrious audience know:” I can assure you that we are about to finish. “Hm.

A bigger puzzle gave Wegner’s statement: “Science is the branch on which we are all sitting.” Well, if it is the case, you should not put on the ax in an overzealous reform craze. What should not be a absurd fear, one thinks solely of the adversity that artists and cultural workers of the German capital have already suffer. Ignoring her protest, the new, the new cultural senator Sarah Wedl-Wilson, who was subsequently the controversial Joe Chialo in May, wants to continue the new savings in May.

“Without science, Berlin would be significantly poorer,” said Wegner. Brave wording. However, experience makes you skeptical. Those who put the ax to art and culture do not shy away from the chainsaw against science. The recruitment of reformalism is negatively affected in our presence. One of the bitter knowledge of the new Millennium is that the advocates of “streamlining” and “austerity measures” are the first to attack public goods and do not beat the shares that are relevant to socially relevant areas. There are little to calmly solemn statements. “We have to and want to invest more in research, digitization and new technologies in order to grow economically and to secure our prosperity,” promised Wegner. Also keynote speaker Cem Özdemir of the Greens – praised on Saturday as a man who (briefly) held two ministerial offices (nutrition and agriculture as well as education and research) and yet only one salary – emphasized the central importance of science, especially as a cross -border bridge builder.

Happy and good. It was heard when Markschies defended the elaborate basic research, which had so far been highly valued in Germany, and emphasized a departure of competitive attitudes. Which can be interpreted as a discreet indication of increasing urging of public and private sponsors on rapid amortization of your financial donations and marketing scientific results. Leibniz ‘principle was “Theoria Cum Praxi”. Conversely, however, there is also: no practice without theory. About the joy of scientific knowledge, the scholars would have a social responsibility, Markschies translated the idea of ​​Leibniz. Scientific work must “focus on a benefit” – otherwise the withdrawal of state support is right. Then the alarm bell score again.

What does benefits mean these days? Well, armaments research could save yourself. This was not up for debate on this Leibniztag (the BBAW does not affect). The digital dictionary of the German language came under the language, analogous to the Grimm brothers over 200 years ago. An end is not in sight in this project, says Markschies. Language changes continuously. The Marx-Engels-Treecht (Mega) edition (MEGA), which is estimated by the International Scientific Community, took over from the BBAW from the GDR Erbmass, was not mentioned, as was other large-scale projects from the BBAW. Based on the awards and announcement of the newly elected academy members, it can be concluded that medical and climate research in particular is considered as a benefit for the common good.

Incidentally, the BBAW, by the way, is awarding a prize to “particularly committed employees” at the Leibniztag, which is named after the long -term press officer Gisela Lech, who died five years ago. The studied Germanist, political scientist and philosopher was an idea of ​​the “Salon Sophie Charlotte”, which was always frequented by the capitals and, which is strongly frequented by the capitals,, who, in accordance with the enormous freedom of the Leibniz work, introduces the secrets of the various scientific disciplines, reports current dispute and findings.

Incidentally, the native Leipzig Leipniz was a pioneer of computer technology, constructed a calculator based on the binary number system he developed and said very modernly: “It is unworthy to waste the time of excellent people with serving computing work, because when using a machine, even when using a machine, even the simplest can be written down.” The tinkerer even designed plans for a submarine. And with his epistemological considerations, he countered the Freudian “unconscious”. Leibniz was an educator and reformer at the same time, for example offered suggestions to improve money, commercial and manufacturing and manufacturing. In this respect, the BBAW is changing with its ambitions of scientific policy advice on its footsteps.

“Change of culture in science is necessary,” said Markschies. This includes stronger international networking and cooperation. »Foreign debates and foreign scientists have always brought new life and new ideas into the German science system. You can see that in the French century of the academy. «The 18th century is considered not only French at the Berlin Academy, but also a Frenchman, the mathematician Pierre Louis Moreau de Maupertuis. Friedrich II, the so-called Great, gave the Leibniz Societät the French name “Académie des Sciences et Belles-Dettes”. At that time, almost half of the ordinary members were French. The honorary members included the great enlighteners Voltaire, Montesquieu and Diderot. And the table rounds Frederick II, alone through the famous painting by Adolf Menzel, is likely to be known in conversation with the Prussian king. The friendship between the philosopher and the monarch ended in scandal, broke in violent arguments.

The “French Century” of the Leibniz Academy, a period of Prussian history, which was characterized by tolerance and openness to new things, was the focus of this year’s Leibnitztag. Which is why the French ambassador in Berlin and his German colleague in Paris contributed greetings. In particular, the diplomats referred to the chapter of European history (forced by Donald Trump), in which special responsibility for France and Germany. Leibniz Dero himself looked beyond national and continental boxes, was one of the first to move away from a “certainty” prevailing at the time that Europe was the only hoard of high culture. In the foreword of his “Novissima Sinica” (the latest from China), he wrote: “Who would once have believed that there is a people on the earth who, in our opinion, exceeded us in the rules of cultivated life?”

Although founding father Leibniz is still close, academics are currently no longer likely to say in his “Theodize” to live in the “best of all possible worlds” – a (confident) optimism that Voltaire showered with plenty of ridicule in his novella “Candide”. “New momentum and new ideas are used again to make a system that is too strong due to excessive hierarchization, overbureaucratization and fear of change,” said Markschies. Therefore, academic debates are also increasingly being made to the public.

In view of the half -filled ballroom and the rapid rapid apart of the guests after the festival, besides melancholy there was also pity. But not only that you have experienced more lively Leibnit Days, too much agreement has been conjured up by science and politics. Between spirit and power? That can’t be. Above all, however, clear words from the German academic guild were missed on warlike madness and political unreasonation of these days worldwide. Sign of resignative exemption in crazy times? Fatigue instead of courage.

It remains to be seen that the (admission -free) events of the BBAW will be well attended by the Berliners, Brandenburgers and Brandenburg women in the anniversary weeks. The thematic titles – from “constantly discovering” to “more beautiful arguments” to “stay awake” – at least make curiosity. The festival weeks end on June 28th with the “Long Night of Sciences”.

Speaking of: The founding certificate of the Leibniz’s law firm of the sciences has the date of July 11th Anno Domini 1700. Without the conviction and persuasion skills of a clever woman, the wife of the then Brandenburg Elector Friedrich III. Her name: Sophie Charlotte.

Program of the festival week at www.bbaw.de/325; On Thursday, June 19, BBAW President Markschies invites you to a “historical-present walk”, meeting point for academy building, entrance Jägerstraße 22/23, 5 p.m.

Although the founding father Leibniz is still close, academics should no longer say how he once claims to live in the “best of all possible worlds”.

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