Research and Discovery: Of Knowledge and the People in the New Century
The Merriman Summer School 2001 takes as its theme, Slí an Eolais: Taighde, Forbairt agus an Pobal sa Chéad Nua — Research and Discovery: Of Knowledge and the People in the New Century.
The title refers to the fact that "knowledge" is becoming a more important and explicit part of our national life, whether it is discovered in scientific research or in a tribunal of enquiry. The knowledge now presenting itself to us is such that it may have a profound effect on our sensitivities and our lives, as well as impacting on politics and the economy. This may be, for example, with new findings in genetic engineering, the blood enquiries, information technology, the discovery of new approaches to medical problems, or the introduction of new pharmaceuticals such as Viagra.
A change of emphasis
To sustain the Celtic Tiger we aspire to having an economy that is knowledge — and research-based as opposed to manufacturing‑based. In keeping with this, the national plan has committed expenditure of £1 to 2 billion on research — an amount which is unprecedented and which our infrastructure may not be able to absorb. Thus it is not surprising that most good newspapers and magazines now regularly cover science, medicine and IT as well as conventional political life.
The School will visit and explore several interrelated topics including:
- Questions of the relationships between the Sciences, the Humanities and Religion.
- The importance of research and new knowledge in the third phase of our economic development — the knowledge‑based society.
- New knowledge and attitudes uncovered in the scientific/medical spheres in tribunals, enquiries and public controversy (e.g. the Lindsay Tribunal; GM food issues; cloning and genetic technology; IT and big brother).
- The impact of ethics, values, legal issues, and the "God question" on life in general, and on the beginning and end of life in particular, in the new scientific/medical order.
Also at the School
And of course the week will be lightened with discussion of the weather, poetry, music and the scientific insights of Myles na gCopaleen, as well as the conviviality, singing and set‑dancing at Club Merriman.
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