Today on The HPS Podcast, Thomas Spiteri talks with Hans-Jörg Rheinberger, distinguished historian and philosopher of science and Director Emeritus at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science in Berlin. Trained first in philosophy and then in molecular biology, Rheinberger is well-recognised for his work on the history and epistemology of experimentation. His influential work, including concepts like “experimental systems” and “epistemic things,” has helped shape how we understand the material, conceptual, and historical dimensions of scientific research.
In this episode, Rheinberger:
Describes his path from philosophy to molecular biologist, and how time at the lab bench informed his understanding science
Explains what “experimental systems” are—carefully arranged environments where scientists interact with both the unknown and the tools that make inquiry possible
Defines “epistemic things,” the phenomena that underpin scientific curiosity, and “technical objects,” the stable tools and methods that emerge from research over time
Illustrates these ideas with vivid case examples, from solving the genetic code with synthetic RNA to the invention and evolution of the electron microscope
Reflects on the impact of new technologies, automation, and digital visualisation, and what persists — and changes — about experimentation in the contemporary lab
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