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Introduction:

What research, science philosophical thinking and futuristic projections generate new substantial developments and values? It depends on whose interests they serve.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
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Those in power: Innovation, development, growth, global competitiveness are all terms politicians and others connect to key processes to indicate the importance of renewal on many levels and ways so to survive on the global scale. If no development the society will lack behind eventually. This is economic point of view favour the areas, which can pay off in a relatively short time span so the innovations can be put into production, called applied research. The various authorities refer to the global competition, promote the &ldquo;necessary policy&rdquo;, and claim a back up from science, thinkers and other innovative parts of the society, also the school system. 
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Others: On the other hand it is obvious that humankind has been innovative, have developed through al time. The history shows innovations developed from a basic need or/and from curiosity, whatever the conditions may be. This is the fundamental part of what is called basic research, study and experiment for to know more. 
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Through all times there have philosophers, researchers and futurists dealing with the existence of humankind, trying to reveal its fundamental framework and exploring its possibilities. All ancient civilizations in all continents have e.g. tried to structure and make rules for the observed phenomenon related to the sky and space. Likewise they have discussed life and how humans are and should be, when together. The ancient Greeks are a well-known example. 
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The exploration of space started as basic research and is a good example of how basic research anyway can pave the way for later applied research and later maybe economic and productive innovations. A development the other way around. 
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This distinction between the &ldquo;free thought&rdquo; and the programmed research and thinking is still valid today. The nation states are still funding basic, independent, research and thinking, but more and more research, also philosophers and futurists, are paid by private funds and big businesses, wanting programmed innovation and research. 
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Many universities in Europe have whole sections funded by private companies with interests related. Big consultant companies, private think tanks and organizations have researchers, philosophers and futurists working for them, addressing their purposes. Still there are those working independently and transparent, with no hidden agenda. Transparency in motives and independency in the work must be relevant parameters for evaluating the validity of the outcome. 
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All this is relevant to have in mind looking for research, philosophy and futurism in the country where you are. We have chosen some examples on what to be looked for. The main work for you is to look for yourself in the country and see what is the discussion, the important issues and the people who try to influence or enrich our life, our practice and thinking and future. 
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We have brought some examples to inspire your research, all examples of European thinking and research, but from different countries. See what it could be about and investigate the country where you are. 
A personal/official speech by an EU commissioner about science and politics, 
Article about and of Ulrich Beck and J&uuml;rgen Habermas. 
LHC - The Large Hadron Collider, CERN, in Switzerland. 
ESA - the European Space Agency and the landing on a comet 
Eske Willerslev &ndash; new findings in paleo-genetic research.

Directive:

The task is set to 5 hours. 
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Read the introduction and the questions and make clear the overall aim of the task. 
Read the files. Use additional sources if you find it beneficial. The origin of additional sources must be noted for control. 
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Product: Discuss the topic in a group of three on the basis of the wording and directives. Conclusion with your findings and your arguments, 2 pages. 
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The issues to work with:
<ol>
	<li>Read, be inspired from file 1 about science and the European societies&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Research - Read, be inspired from file 2 about science and research. Then - select the research area you want to investigate in the country.</li>
	<li>Philosophy - Read, be inspired from file 3 about philosophy. Then &ndash; select the philosophical area you want to investigate in the country.</li>
	<li>Futurism - Read, be inspired from file 4 about futurism. Then - select the area in which you want to investigate the futuristic aspect.</li>
</ol>

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