Sciences en questions

Removing the Sacred Character of the Figure in Assessing the Public Sector
A. Ogien
Edition 2013

How, since 2006 when the organic law on the finance law entered into force, has the figure become the centrepiece in a way of governing where the political decision is subjected to a logic of result? The author wonders about the current hold of the management evaluation over the definition of the governmental activity. He shows how it makes the democratic practices lose their strength. It addresses the forms of resistance that civil servants and citizens can use to oppose this erosion.

Research, the Sick Man of Management
V. de Gaulejac
Edition 2012

This book exposes the political, organisational and individual consequences of introducing the private sector managerial model into public scientific research:search for the results, progress on merit, management per project, evaluating obsession. What are the paradigms underlying this new public management? How can we analyse the psychological, ideological and organisational effects of these managerial practices? How can we act faced with this malaise in the workplace?

Onto-phylogeny
Evolution of Species and Development of the Individual
J. Kupiec
Edition 2012

Biology recognises two entities where the existence seems to be an immediate given of perception and not a theoretical elaboration or the result of an experimental approach. These first entities are the species and the individual, and biology seeks to explain their genesis and their operation. Firstly, the theory of natural selection explains the evolution of species (phylogeny) and secondly, the theory of genetic programming explains the development of individual organisms (ontogeny). The author believes that this way of dividing biology no longer holds true given the experimental data acquired recently. He is suggesting a new theory called onto-phylogeny which, on the contrary, unifies biology. In this context, the evolution of species and embyronic development result from a single, extended natural selection process.

Science Up Against Creationisms
Re-explaining the methodological contract
G. Lecointre
Edition 2012

The author examines the strategies of pseudo-scientific arguments, from negationist creationisms to philosophical creationisms which call on the scientific community to participate in a "quest for meaning". Through the theory of evolution and its appropriation by the public, the book raises the issue of scientificity criteria.

Ethics and Research
A Dialogue to be Constructed
J. Théry, J. Besnier , E. Hirsch
Edition 2011

This book covers the creation process and report of the INRA and IFREMER Ethics and Precaution Committee for Agronomic Research Applications (COMEPRA). The speakers describe how questions on ethics relating to life science research (cloning, GMO and medical sector) are taken into account and circulated.

Expérimentation animale
Entre droit et liberté
J. Marguénaud
Edition 2011

Despite the scientific advances attributed to animal experimentation, it henceforth has to bow to the EU directive of 22/09/2010 which lays down a framework for the use of animals for scientific purposes and marks a new victory for law.

L'écologie des autres
Anthropology and the Question of Nature
P. Descola
Edition 2011

Philippe Descola is suggesting here an ecology of relationships between humans and non-humans: by agreeing to give up its anthropocentrism, anthropology will be able to resolve the debates which keep springing up between natural and cultural determinisms.

Biotechnologie, nanotechnologie, ecologie
Between Science and Ideology
M. Parizeau
Edition 2010

This book ponders the new scientific disciplines. What ideology is hidden behind biotechnology, nanotechnology or ecology, these disciplines which arouse fears and hopes for Western modernity?

Penser comme un rat

V. Despret
Edition 2009 What does the labyrinth test mean to a rat? Seeking to understand the animals' viewpoint could incite researchers to change their practices.

Science et communication

M. Claessens
Edition 2009 The book's main message is that a culture of good science communication still does not exist in Europe. In order to improve the science communication culture, the book proposes to set up "science courts" and to institutionalise consensus conferences.