Metaphors in science and technology – Darmstadt 10/05

Graduiertenkolleg "Technisierung und Gesellschaft", TU-Darmstadt 12.10.2005-14.10.2005, Schloss TU-Darmstadt
Extended Deadline: 15.05.2005

International conference

Technisierung/Ästhetisierung - Technological and Aesthetic (Trans)Formations of Society,
Theme session: Metaphors in science and technology

Darmstadt Technical University, October 12 to 14, 2005

Metaphors are ubiquitous not only in everyday but also in scientific and technological language. Research on metaphor in discourse can describe shifts in scientific theories or technological models with the help of diachronic and synchronic comparisons. Since cognitive metaphor theories propose a close connection between linguistic metaphorical expressions and mental concepts, the study of the use of metaphor can also provide an insight into the structures of our thinking in general. From this perspective, metaphors figure as a means to grasp abstract concepts which are not perceptible to our senses. Metaphors are therefore not merely a linguistic, but a conceptual phenomenon. If so, the research on metaphor can be a useful tool to describe conceptual structures and the structure of our scientific and technological thinking.

These general considerations can be made fruitful for the investigation of how to use and how to deal with metaphors in science and technology. Here, philosophers, historians, and sociologists of science and technology as well as linguists and cognitive scientists might approach a wide range of questions. Which metaphors are used in scientific and technological contexts? How can one describe and explain the connection between linguistic and conceptual phenomena? Are metaphors really unavoidable and universal principles of thinking and speaking? Which role do they play for scientific models? Can we chose freely which metaphors we use for scientific and technological research? What does that mean for our conceptual system? What does it mean for our conception of science? Can we prove the truthfulness of scientific arguments, or can we only analyse the metaphors? Are metaphors borders, or are they useful tools for scientific thinking, or are they neither of these? Which role do metaphors play for scientific creativity and innovation? Do aesthetics play a role in this, and if so: which one?

The planned interdisciplinary panel will probe into these questions from both a theoretical and an empirical view. Cross-connections to other panels of the conference can (and will) be established, for instance to those on 'pictures' and 'visualising strategies' in science and technology.

General conference description:

Technisierung/Ästhetisierung - Technological and Aesthetic (Trans)Formations of Society

Darmstadt Technical University, October 12 to 14, 2005

For the past nine years, the interdisciplinary graduate college “Technisierung und Gesellschaft” considered the technological (trans)formation of society. As the last cohort of doctoral students concludes its studies, the final conference widens the perspective and brings past researches to bear on the interplay of technological and aesthetic dimensions of formative processes in contemporary societies.

By foregrounding process, the international conference goes beyond the iconic turn in science and technology studies. Rather than focus on images, it will explore the work that goes into producing self and society in the image of technology. This work involves constructions of time and space, it negotiates forces of globalization and localization, it construes self and nature as subject and object of technological shaping. This work also produces tensions between and among aesthetic and technological ideals.

Plenary Speakers:
• Michael Hagner (Zürich, Switzerland)
• Wolfgang Krohn (Bielefeld, Germany)
• Jeffrey Meikle (Austin, USA)
• Thomas Sieverts (Bonn, Germany)
• Christa Sommerer (Gifu, Japan)

Abstracts from a wide variety of disciplines are welcome. These include philosophy, sociology, history, engineering and the natural sciences, art history, linguistics or media studies. Submit 500-word abstracts by May 15, 2005, as a Word or RichText document to

TU Darmstadt
Fachbereich 2
Graduiertenkolleg “Technisierung und Gesellschaft”
Karolinenplatz 5 (Fach 1404)
64289 Darmstadt
Germany
E-mail: tagung-graduiertenkolleg@ifs.tu-darmstadt.de
There will be panels on:

• Aesthetic Anticipation
• Art, Technosciences, and Social Criticism
• Metaphors in Science and Technology
• The Aesthetic Dimensions of Warfare
• Urban Spaces and Private Quarters
• Nature and Technology
• Technologies of Visualization
• Normalizing by Images – Imaging Normalization
• Design between Technology and Aesthetics

Confirmed panel speakers:

• Nik Brown (York, Great Britain)
• Ingeborg Reichle (Berlin, Germany)
• Magdalena Zawislawska (Warsaw, Poland)

Invited panel speakers:

• Barbara Stafford (Chicago, USA)
• Angela Krewani (Marburg, Germany)

The conference will be held in English.
For a more detailed call for papers and a collection of topical theses go to
www.ifs.tu-darmstadt.de/fileadmin/gradkoll/Konferenzen/abschluss/main.html