ISTA Lecture Richard Cockett
Vienna’s Lab of Thoughts: How the City of Ideas Shaped the World
In this lecture, Dr. Richard Cockett will consider Vienna as a historic incubator for both scientific inventiveness and the "Scientific World View," a phrase coined by Viennese philosophers. For over a century, this world view has represented a vital and precious strand in Western thinking. Its survival, however, has often been under threat, not least in Vienna itself. Dr. Cockett will demonstrate how relevant and important this world view has been and must continue to be.
From about the 1870s through to 1934, Vienna became a city of central importance to scientific progress in fields such as physics, medicine, biology, eugenics, and mathematics. Equally important, but often overlooked, is Vienna's role as a leading center for advocating the "Scientific World View," as championed by the philosophers of the Vienna Circle in the 1920s. This application of the world view to relatively unexplored areas gave rise to modern disciplines and professions like statistical sociology, child development studies, audience research, motivation research, modern music, and analytical philosophy.
Dr. Cockett will argue that this process made Vienna a truly revolutionary city in the history of ideas—a significant inheritance for those working in similar circumstances in contemporary Vienna, yet one that has never been properly illuminated. Illuminating this rich history is the task Dr. Cockett undertakes in his lecture.
This event is open to the public, and we welcome everyone with an interest in history, culture, and the powerful forces that shape our world. It is a unique opportunity to gain insights from an esteemed author whose work has captivated readers and scholars alike.
Admission: Free of charge