International Workshops
The Edelstein Center, Tel Aviv University and the Jerusalem Van Leer Institute host together a joint annual international workshop on the history and philosophy of science. Recent international workshops included, in 2006, "The Origins and Nature of Computation"; and in 2007, "Newton in Pursuit of the Secrets of God and Nature".
For twenty-second joint annual international workshop, in December 2008, the center brought together leading international and Israeli philosophers and historians to honor the achievements of Professor Itamar Pitowsky with the workshop "The Probable and the Improbable: The Meaning and Role of Probability in Physics". Forthcoming is a special volume based on the proceedings of this workshop.
During June 7-10, 2009, the joint international workshop will deal with "The Transfomations of Lamarckism: 200 Years Since the Philosophique Zoologique."
2009 is an anniversary year for evolutionary biology: 200 years since Darwin's birth, 150 years since the publication of The Origin of Species. These events are being celebrated in many places throughout the world. However, 2009 will also mark 200 years since the publication of Lamarck's Philosophie Zoologique. Lamarck's book was a watershed in the life sciences and had an enduring impact on both sociological and biological thought, including that of Darwin. Moreover, Lamarckian perspectives on heredity, ecology and evolution are now emerging as central topics in biological research. In our workshop, the only one so far focusing on Lamarck's contribution to biology, we reappraise Lamarckism within an integrated and broad framework, examining its historical impact and its contemporary significance for biology and philosophy of biology. A highlight of the workshop is the bringing together of historical analyses with discussions of present day issues in biology.
The Center also organizes workshops in the history of science and technology in collaboration with other institutions. In the current year, that marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, an international workshop on "Darwinism and Functional Biology, Other Sciences and the Humanities" (30 March to 1 April, 2009, Beer-Sheva and Jerusalem), is held in collaboration with the Jacques Loeb Centre for the History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and the Einstein Center at The Hebrew University. A special volume arising from the proceedings will be published later in 2009.
Also taking place in March 2009 is the international workshop "Kant's Philosophy of Mathematics".
Exhibitions
In connection with the 2007 Newton workshop the Center organized the exhibition "Newton's Secret's", at the Israel National Library. The virtual exhibition can be viewed at here. Forthcoming at the Israel National Library is an exhibition on the theme of "Astronomy and Astrology."
Bar-Hillel Colloquium
The Edelstein Center, Tel Aviv University and the Jerusalem Van Leer Institute sponsor the annual lecture series known as the Bar-Hillel Colloquium for the History, Philosophy and Sociology of Science. This year's program is available here.
Edelstein Colloquium
A full program with invited speakers from Israel and abroad is scheduled each year. Colloquia are held on alternate Wednesdays during both semesters, at the Edelstein Center, Levy Building, room 324 (seminar room), commencing at 8 pm.