We often crave the comfort of certainty. We want to believe that science acts as a steady chisel, slowly carving an absolute ‘Truth’ out of the marble of reality. But if science is about discovering the truth, why do expert recommendations seemingly change so rapidly? The early months of the COVID-19 pandemic revealed exactly this, as knowledge shifted by the week. Yet, this is not a failure of the scientific process; it is perhaps its greatest strength.
At the Science Café on April 21, we explore (in Dutch) the philosophy behind this shifting landscape. We ask how scientists build models to describe our world, how they assign probabilities to these models, and how they update their beliefs in light of new evidence. Two researchers offer complementary perspectives on this evolution of knowledge. Christoph Lüthy (RU) provides a foundation by tracing the historical development of the scientific method and our changing pursuit of truth. Eric-Jan Wagenmakers (UvA) takes a deeper dive into the connection between probability and science, explaining what makes a robust model and how we navigate the nuances of statistical interpretation.
As we explore the idea of ‘Truth’ in science, the evening will come alive, with the air buzzing with electronic pop and R&B grooves from Hannah Najia and Marius Holland.
Scientists/8 pm: Christoph Lüthy (RU) and Eric-Jan Wagenmakers (UvA)
Music/7.30 pm: Hannah Najia & Marius Holland
Moderator: Luca Consoli
Time: Tuesday April 21st 2026, 7.30/8 – 10 pm
Venue: The Shamrock, Smetiusstraat 17, Nijmegen
Admission: free admission (no reservation)
Language: Dutch
info www.sciencecafenijmegen.nl