iCHSTM 2013 Programme • Version 5.3.6, 27 July 2013 • ONLINE (includes late changes)
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| Paper sessions timetable | Lunch and evening timetable | Main site
S091. The achievements of R J Boscovich in the philosophy of nature, astronomy, technique and culture: historical resources and contemporary epistemic reflections
Mon 22 July, 11:10–15:40 ▪ Roscoe 2.5
Symposium organisers:
Tomislav Petković | University of Zagreb, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, Department of Applied Physics, Croatia
Aleksandar Petrovic | University of Belgrade, Serbia
Magda Stavinschi | Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy, Romania
Marko Ursic | University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
George Vlahakis | Hellenic Open University, Greece
S091-A. Boscovich’s achievements in the philosophy of nature and modern science
Mon 22 July, 11:10–12:40Roscoe 2.5
Chairs:
Magda Stavinschi | Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy, Romania
George Vlahakis | Hellenic Open University, Greece
Discussion
Opening discussion on the origins and development of S091, led by Tomislav Petković
Marko Ursic | University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Peter Lukan | University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Tomislav Petković | University of Zagreb, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, Department of Applied Physics, Croatia
Tina Domazet | University of Zagreb, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, Croatia
Discussion
General discussion time to close this session
S091-B. Boscovich’s heritage in the European context
Mon 22 July, 14:10–15:40Roscoe 2.5
Chairs:
Marko Ursic | University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Tomislav Petković | University of Zagreb, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, Department of Applied Physics, Croatia
Magda Stavinschi | Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy, Romania
George Vlahakis | Hellenic Open University, Greece
Danko Kamcevski | Independent scholar, Serbia
Discussion
The symposium will conclude with a general discussion of the papers and themes raised.
Symposium abstract

Rogerius Joseph Boscovich / Rudjer Josip Bošković (1711, Dubrovnik, Croatia - 1787, Milano, Italy): One of the greatest European scientists of all time, natural philosopher, mathematician, physicist, technician, poet, Jesuit, diplomat. His research and achievements were spread over the fields of astronomy, optics, mechanics, geodesy, and construction techniques, of his time. Boscovich’s epoch-making work “A Theory of Natural Philosophy” (Vienna 1758 and Venice 1763, respectively) with the points-atoms as the ultimate building blocks of Nature, was based on the single universal law of forces that exists in nature. He used a method of thinking of Newton and Leibniz, synthesized and unified them for the first time into his new original method of thinking of Nature. Boscovich’s method may be expressed by the epistemological formula of ‘more geometrico sive mathematicomore rationalimore empiricomore theologico’, as the four basic concepts of science, philosophy and religion that have been unified together by his mind. Boscovich’s contribution reflects many controversial issues of the philosophy of nature and science in particular in the XVIII century. However, his Theory itself is fundamental for modern scientific picture and basic concepts of nature till today, due to structure and particles phenomenology included in it. It is crucial to discuss history and actual status of the natural sciences and related technologies along the roads of the Boscovich’s legacy.

Location: Roscoe Building 2.5
Part of: Roscoe Building