Historical equipment such as microscopes and charge columns from the 19th century
History and Philosophy of Science
Welcome to the website of the Chair for the History and Philosophy of Science at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena
Historical equipment such as microscopes and charge columns from the 19th century
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)

History and Philosophy of Science

In our research and teaching we explore the formation of scientific knowledge in different historical contexts and periods as well as the social impact of the sciences.

The history of science at the Ernst-Haeckel-Haus aims at promoting an interdisciplinary exchange and dialogue between the humanities and the natural sciences. Our research draws on methods from historical disciplines as well as from the cultural and social sciences but also engages with the natural sciences. 

Our study programme combines a high level of interdisciplinarity and an international research orientation with the rich local tradition of Jena in the history of science. Its History of Science program (B.A., M.Sc.) make the Friedrich Schiller University Jena one of the few places in Germany where the history of science is taught as an independent discipline.

  1. Conference participation

    Christina Brandt will give a paper on the topic: "The 'Biological Time Bomb': Imagined Futures in the Life Sciences, 1960s-1980s“ at this year’s meeting of the History of Science Society in Merida (7- 10 Nov.)
    Cover HSS Annual Meeting 2024
    Image: History of Science Society
  2. From Biotechnology to Bioethics

    We congratulate Anna Klassen who successfully defended her PhD thesis: „Von Biotechnologie zu Bioethik: Die Debatten über die Regulation von Gentechnologie in der Bundesrepublik der 1970er und 1980er Jahre“
  3. New Publication

    Florence Vienne / Marion Thomas: Solidarité et théories du vivant au XIX siècle. Regards croisés sur la physiologie de Theodor Schwann et de Charles Robin
    Cover von "Solidarität denken"
    Image: Franz Steiner Verlag
  4. Workshop "Ernst Haeckel Postcolonial" 

    Workshop "Ernst Haeckel Postcolonial. New Perspectives on his Life and Work" March 20-22 2024
    Drawing of Haeckel's journey to "Ceylon"
    Image: Marcus Rebhan
  5. New Publication

    Julia Gruevska and the "Netzwerk Philosophiehistorisches Arbeiten" in a panel discussion with Christina Brandt, Christoph Demmerling and Gerald Hartung on the importance of the history of philosophy. 
  6. New Publication

    Gentechnik und die Max-Planck-Gesellschaft. Ein Streitfall zwischen Wissenschaft, Politik und Öffentlichkeit, 1975-1999.Alexander v. Schwerin, Anna Klassen, Christina Brandt
    Cover des Preprints
    Image: Forschungsprogramm Geschichte der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft (GMPG)
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Chair for the History and Philosophy of Science

Ernst-Haeckel-Haus
Berggasse 7
07745 Jena