Plenary Sessions

Basic science for human development, peace, and planetary health

Plenary Session | 8-10 September 2022

Concept Note The Pontifical Academy of Sciences has held conferences and issued science-based statements urging to address, among others, the massive health problems caused by the ... Read all

Science and Survival. A Focus on SARS-CoV-2 and Connections Between Large-Scale Risks for Life on This Planet and Opportunities of Science to Address Them

Plenary Session | 7-9 October 2020

The 2020 PAS plenary is guided by the idea that the role of science is critical for the survival of humanity – in view of the SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 crisis probably more so than ... Read all

Transformative Roles of Science in Society: From Emerging Basic Science toward Solutions for People's Wellbeing

Plenary Session | 12-14 November 2018

Introduction The 2018 PAS plenary is guided by the ideas that basic sciences remain fundamental for generating a valid and evidence based model of the world sciences become ... Read all

Science and Sustainability. Impacts of Scientific Knowledge and Technology on Human Society and its Environment

Plenary Session | 25-29 November 2016

We invite all members of the PAS to reflect on which already available or expected scientific advances may impact on the sustainable development of human societies and their ... Read all

Evolving Concepts of Nature

Plenary Session | 24-28 October 2014

Right from the roots of cultural evolution of mankind, testimonies can be found of early and of later modified and updated world views, that must be based both on careful ... Read all

Complexity and Analogy in Science: Theoretical, Methodological and Epistemological Aspects

Plenary Session | 5-7 November 2012

In the past decades scientific investigations have been quite successful by reductionistic research approaches. But scientists are ever more aware that their specific knowledge ... Read all

The Scientific Legacy of the 20th Century

Plenary Session | 28 October - 1 November 2010

The 20th century was an important century for the sciences. In physics, revolutionary theoretical and experimental breakthroughs happened, modern biology began its triumphal march. ... Read all

Scientific Insights into the Evolution of the Universe and of Life

Plenary Session | 31 October - 4 November 2008

Research into the origins and evolution of the universe, of matter and of life belongs to the focal topics of the natural sciences. The Pontifical Academy of Sciences has ... Read all

Predictability in Science: Accuracy and Limitations of Predictions based on Scientific Knowledge

Plenary Session | 3-6 November 2006

In its last two business meetings the PAS Council discussed several alternative topics that had been proposed for the next Plenary Session of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in ... Read all

Paths of Discovery

Plenary Session | 5-8 November 2004

The Council of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences suggests devoting the November 2004 Plenary Session to the following topic: ‘Paths of Discovery’. This topic is of interest not ... Read all