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Cet article se propose d'interroger la posture du scientifique replié dans sa tour d'ivoire et indifférent aux choses du monde. Il repart du lourd constat du XXème siècle de la participation (quelquefois collusion) de nombreux hommes de science aux différentes entreprises génodicaires pour se faire tentative d'interrogation de la disjonction entre activité de connaître et activité de penser, et ce notamment en raison du fondement commun à ces deux activités, à savoir l'examen distancié, la "rupture épistémologique"… L'homme de science ne devrait-il pas, dès lors, se faire éclaireur du monde, sans pour autant devenir pourvoyeur des consciences, en intégrant à la posture scientifique la capacité critique, comme principe d'énonciation des possibles? Ce ne serait pas dénier l'idéal scientifique (qu'est cette compétence critique, point d'orgue de la démarche de l'homme de science) mais au contraire lui rendre ses lettres de noblesse que de ne pas le confiner aux portes des laboratoires. Este artigo se propõe analisar a postura do cientista retirado na sua "Torre de Marfim" e indiferente às coisas do mundo. Baseado na observação da participação de cientistas (freqüentemente cúmplices) em diferentes processos de genocídios, o artigo tenta questionar a disjunção entre a atividade de conhecimento e a atividade de pensamento em função das fundamentações comuns de ambas atividades: observação distanciada e ruptura epistemológica. Deveria o cientista não se tornar o "guia" do mundo sem tornar-se a sua consciência, integrando na postura científica habilidades críticas como o principio da enunciação de possibilidades? Isso não deveria negar o ideal científico, mas ao contrário, deveria provar seu mérito nos laboratórios. This article proposes to question the scientist's posture regarding his/her ivory tower and indifferent to things of the world. Based on the observation during the twentieth century of the participation (often accomplice) of the scientists to the different undertaking of genocide, it tries to question the disjunction between activity of knowledge and activity of thinking, because of the common foundation to these both activities : the distantiated examination, the epistemological break… Should the scientist not, also, become a "guide" of the world, without becoming supplier of conscience, in integrating into the scientific posture the critical abilities, as the principle of statement of possibilities? It shouldn't deny the scientific ideal (like the critical ability, organ-point of the thinking process), but, at the opposite, it should prove its worth again if we do not shut ourselves into laboratories.

The President of the Academie thanks their Majesties the King and the Queen for their presence today. He reminds those present that the King is the Protector of the Academie. The anniversary which we are celebrating today is not that of the creation of this venerable institution, but that of its reorganization, when the Fine Arts class was added to those of Science and of Literature. The balance sheet of 150 years of activity by the class whose anniversary we are celebrating is an attractive one. Its members have included Adolphe Quételet, the Leonardo da Vinci of the Jeune Belgique movement, James Ensor and Paul Delvaux, to mention just three. It has published abundantly, including the catalogues of two memorable exhibitions. It is benefited from the gifts of a host of benefactors. It has awarded a quantity of prizes and subsidies. The whole Académie is very concerned to preserve its independence vis-à-vis the powers which command this world. In all circumstances it upholds intelligence, sensitivity and creativity, the cult of Truth, Beauty and Goodness. Its vocation is to reward merit. It is resolutely elitist, but in no ways haughty. It is not afraid to descend into the arena. The palace in which it lives is a large house of noble appearance, but it is no ivory tower, no fortress. Symbolically it bears comparison with a lighthouse., Colman Pierre. Les cent cinquante ans de la Classe des Beaux-Arts. In: Bulletin de la Classe des Beaux-Arts, tome 6, n°7-12, 1995. pp. 249-256.

Frederik Mispelblom, The Social Sciences from Mission to Job In contrast to the idea developed in number 95-96 of L'Homme et la Société on the theme of "Mission et démission des sciences sociales", directed by Jean-Pierre Durand, it is possible that there is less a crisis within the social sciences than in the idea that we have of the social sciences. Far from having been removed from political or economic influences, certain currents , within the social sciences have been linked to business and political interests for a long time. But even the position of the "ivory tower" is far from disinterested. For this reason, critical debate about the social role of the social sciences is appropriate and necessary., Mispelbrom Frederik. Les sciences sociales : de la mission au métier. In: L'Homme et la société, N. 109, 1993. Sciences sociales et travail. pp. 19-30.