Il potere della parola. Il caso della comunicazione della scienza

What is meant by the vague expression "scientific communication"? And why is it so important nowadays that the sciences are put into question? The present paper addresses these fundamental issues by focusing on the connection, already emphasized by Jonas, between “to know” and “to do”. This connection characterizes the actual state of techno-sciences and grounds their power to transform the condition of human experience. By drawing on Arendtian categories, this essay therefore claims for the importance of a public discussion on science and highlights the gap between scientific discourse and the “normal thought and discourse expression” when referred to the human experience. In this frame, the ambivalent role played by the phenomenon of ignorance within human relations – often neglected in the philosophical reflection, whit the exception of Sartre – should be taken into account. This is particularly relevant when considering the evident knowledge asymmetry between scientists and lay people. The essay intends to demonstrate how philosophy can contribute to a concrete public discussion on science, by outlining a notion of power linked to communication processes and flows and by highlighting its constraints, beyond the so-called Diskursethik approach.