Berlin 2024 – scientific programme

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PSV: Plenary Special Talks

PSV III

PSV III: Ceremonial Talk

Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 14:30–17:00, H 0105

Science. Beauty. Future — •Pedro Miguel Echenique — DIPC, Donostia, Spain

Science and technology have changed our lives in the 20th century. When I hear the word science, the first thing that comes to my mind is future. Our future will be determined, even more than the past has been, by the progress of science and technology. But science is much more than its practical applications. It is an intellectual adventure, a human adventure that in recent years has changed our conception of the world we live in and of ourselves. In my opinion, and without underestimating the outstanding contributions of other branches of the humanities, the conceptual edifice of modern science is the most important collective cultural work of humanity; it is the most important collective work of art of humanity. Long term vision, continuity in policies and the geographical anchoring of creativity are essential characteristics of a good science policy for the future. They must be accompanied by trust and a friendly relationship with the administration to avoid excessive bureaucracy. Scientists have an aesthetic criterion that in many cases has helped us in the search for truth, an aesthetic criterion that should be valued, but not overvalued to the point of becoming an absolute criterion of truth. Confusing mathematical beauty with truth can lead to errors in physics and economics. Jon Keats' words "truth is beauty and beauty is truth" are very beautiful, but nothing is so beautiful that it deserves to be true, the great Faraday reminds us.