Objectives

Science is very much part of our lives. It is important to our legal system, the food we eat, the energy we use, the medicines we take, the treatment we receive in hospitals, the media we enjoy in our homes, the buildings we inhabit and the transport systems we use.

Although much progress has been made in the last three centuries, there is still debate and uncertainty about large areas of science. We also need to know how science affects the societies in which we live.

In his book 'The Ascent of Man' Dr Jacob Bronowski said:

'Science is a very human form of knowledge. We are always on the brink of the known, we always feel forward for what is to be hoped. Every judgement in science stands at the edge of error and is personal. Science is a tribute to what we can know, although we are fallible'.

Richard Feynman, the Nobel Prize winning physicist, once said:

'Our freedom to doubt was born out of a struggle against authorityin the early days of science. It was a very deep and strong struggle: permit us to question - to doubt - to be not sure. I think it is important that we do not forget this struggle and thus lose what we have gained. Herein lies a responsibility to society.

We are hoping that the Sherborne Science Cafe will provide a forum in which we can discuss aspects of science and the interaction between science and society.

Although we have no formal links with the Cafe Scientifique movement, we are using their general idea. They have defined a Cafe Scientifique as a place where, for the price of a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, anyone can come to explore the latest ideas in science and technology. Meetings take place in cafes, bars, restaurants and even theatres, but always outside a traditional academic context.