“Especially in times when debates are often more shaped by prejudices or emotions than arguments, the truth for science and society is of particular value,” writes Mojib Latif, President of the Academy of Sciences in Hamburg and editor of this essay collection. As a climate researcher, he needs to know: there are many who deny man -made climate change and thus consider climate protection measures to be unnecessary.
In the book, researchers deal with current and sometimes explosive questions that move us as society: How do conspiracy theories work? Do so-called pull factors such as sea rescue lead to more migration to Europe? (In advance: No, this myth persistently lasts, although scientific studies have refuted the connection several times.) What is the difference between lie and bullshit – and in which category do the stories of Donald Trump fit?
The essay band combines aspects from climate research, mathematics, biology, technology, psychology, language sciences and theology. The diverse topics are creatively and surprisingly illustrated with illustrations at the beginning of the chapter. The essays are written well and understandably without exception. Salome Berblinger
Mojib Latif (ed.)
Scientific perspectives
Herder, 208 pages, € 20, –
ISBN 978–3–451–39879–7
You can find an interview with Mojib Latif in the online archive.