Philosophy of Science
The Philosophy of Science Research Cluster at the 25th Century Institute critically examines the foundations, processes, and ethics of modern science. In a rapidly evolving world, this cluster seeks to explore the complex relationship between science and societal structures, highlighting the challenges that hinder knowledge production and dissemination while proposing transformative pathways for innovation and integrity.
This research cluster explores the multifaceted impact of emerging technologies, focusing on identifying and mitigating the risks associated with their misuse.
Research Topics
Scientific progress often encounters bottlenecks due to rigid institutional frameworks and administrative inefficiencies. This focus area investigates how bureaucratic practices shape, constrain, and sometimes stifle the pursuit of knowledge, offering strategies to streamline processes without compromising scientific rigor.
Big publishing corporations, including Elsevier and Sage, exert significant influence over the accessibility and direction of scientific research. Researchers in this area critically analyze the profit-driven control of scholarly communication and advocate for more open, equitable, and transparent systems of knowledge dissemination.
Despite technological advancements, the traditional model of scientific inquiry often struggles to keep pace with contemporary challenges. This focus area explores the systemic factors behind the lack of innovation in knowledge production and proposes interdisciplinary and lateral thinking approaches to reinvigorate creativity and adaptability in science.
Generative AI technologies pose profound challenges to the authenticity and originality of scientific publications. This research topic was created for researchers examine the risks of non-original content infiltrating peer-reviewed literature, the ethical dilemmas posed by AI authorship, and strategies to uphold trust and validity in scientific communication.
Science, Technology, and Power
The intersection of science, technology, and power is increasingly shaped by the dominance of large corporations. The Science, Technology, and Power cluster at the 25th Century Institute examines how corporate interests influence the trajectory of scientific research and technological advancement, focusing on the following critical areas:
Exploring how tech giants, including Microsoft and Google, are reshaping the research landscape by prioritizing profit-driven agendas over public interest.
Investigating the dual-edged role of artificial intelligence in scientific discovery. While AI has the potential to revolutionize research processes, its integration often comes with risks of bias, monopolization, and ethical dilemmas.
Examining the transformative potential of QAI in accelerating scientific breakthroughs while considering the governance and accountability challenges posed by these emerging technologies.
A Transdisciplinary Lens
By integrating insights from philosophy, sociology, information science, and technology ethics, this research cluster provides a comprehensive understanding of the structural and ethical challenges facing modern science. Through this lens, the cluster fosters dialogue and innovation to reshape the future of scientific inquiry.
Towards a Resilient and Ethical Science Ecosystem
The mission of this cluster is to envision a science ecosystem that prioritizes transparency, equity, and innovation while safeguarding the integrity of knowledge production. The cluster aims to:
- Propose the elimination of bureaucratic and institutional barriers in science.
- Challenge profit-driven monopolies in scholarly publishing.
- Champion innovative practices for a more dynamic and inclusive scientific community.
- Develop robust responses to the ethical and practical challenges posed by AI in research.
