Theme Night University 2024: Facts & Fables

How do you know if something is true or not? Scientists are continuously working on this: through experiments and tests, by observing and measuring, by interviewing, by unmasking illusions, by unraveling gigantic mountains of data, etc. With all those scientific facts and insights we can better understand the world. What do we contribute to the truth at Tilburg University?

But also in our daily lives we face the challenge of finding out what is true and what is not true. We are overloaded with information and have to deal with fake news, conspiracy theories, propaganda and advertising.

There are many messengers who have their own truth and try to influence you. Especially now that (data) technical options are developing so quickly, you are even more likely to end up on the wrong foot. How do we ensure that the facts prevail over the fables?

In more philosophical spheres you might wonder what 'truth' even is. And whether there is one absolute truth or whether several truths can exist at the same time? Is something only true if it can be measured or observed? And looking at art, literature and culture: How much truth can fiction contain? And why do we like to believe in fables so much?