Prometheus Chained

The Chained Prometheus is introduced as a metaphor for the behavioral scientist. Science (including psychology and pedagogy) is no longer taken for granted. Society, politics, and the media pose critical questions and not infrequently demand censorship or at least control of science. An analysis is given of the types of criticism and skepticism with respect to science, and to psychology in particular. The (behavioral) scientist faces a dilemma: On the one hand, science cannot exist and develop without freedom; on the other hand, this does not mean the freedom to amass knowledge at any price and without any restrictions. Thus, we balance ourselves between freedom and ethical/social responsibility. This presentation reflects on the question of the social and ethical limitations of (behavioral) science: Who should control what and on which criteria?