1. The Need of New Approaches - Kritische Stimmen zur ...

Chapter 9: The Thought Experiment
42 / 2002-03-30 - Secretary of State Prof. Dr. J. NIDA-RÜMELIN, Appointee of the Federal Government
for Matters of Culture and the Media. Berlin.
Manuscript Print 2001 (Copy No.: 59)
Extract:
“We have read in the newspaper FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE SONNTAGSZEITUNG from 24.3.02 that
you said in a panel discussion in Hamburg that you missed “in this country” a “Kultur der freien Rede” [culture of
free speech], the rhetorical capabilities of German politicians being referred to here. We believe you will find it
much more serious that the democratic prerequisites for “free speech” - in the substantial sense of the term - are
completely missing in a not-unimportant field of science in our country: namely a “culture of freedom”. Instead, the
field of theoretical physics is governed by suppression and defamation of every bit of criticism. An open and free
discussion of the criticism of the special theory of relativity is prevented by all possible means - although the theory
is extolled as the best-proven theory. If the relativists believed in their own propaganda, they would have no reason
to fear a free discussion.
At the same time this is also very much a matter of public-law concern, since the field of theoretical physics in
the Federal Republic of Germany is almost entirely maintained from taxpayers’ money, which is used by the
powers that be in physics to silence the critics and to bring any possible related research to a standstill. This is a
clear misuse of taxpayers’ money that was originally intended to serve the purpose of research, which can only be
conducted in a free environment and can only be advanced by criticism. Where the persons actively involved here
are civil servants, they have taken an oath on the constitution and must at all times stand up for the protection of
basic rights, to which - not least - the freedom to research and to teach belongs.
We believe that a “culture of freedom” in academic physics must first be reintroduced, since otherwise there
can be no question of a “culture of free speech” existing in this field. In the field of politics we have fortunately won
the “culture of freedom” in our country. Why should this achievement be refused those who are active in the field
of physics? Why should the creative forces that only unfold in a context of free discussion be suppressed in this
specialist field?”
43 / 2002-03-30 - STAATS- U. UNIVERSITÄTSBIBLIOTHEK CARL VON OSSIETZKY, Acquisition Section. Hamburg.
Private Print 2002 (Copy No.: 4)
44 / 2002-03-30 - UNIVERSITÄTSBIBLIOTHEK DER LUDWIG-MAXIMILIAN-UNIVERSITÄT, Acquisition Section.
München. Private Print 2002 (Copy No.: 7)
45 / 2002-03-30 - Frank SCHIRRMACHER c/o Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Frankfurt a. M.
Manuscript Print 2001(Copy No.: 57)
Extract:
“The regular column “Nature and Science” in the feuilletons of the FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG
and their remarkable fundamental liberalism, permitting all standpoints in disputes to be expressed, and not least
the high standing of the FAZ as an institution of the fourth power - the press - in our country, have moved us to ask
you to give an impulse towards public discussion. For purposes of your journalistic work you may make use of our
documentation until 31st December 2003 at your own discretion.
If you know how the physics establishment deals with dissidents, you will understand that we have to place
great value on discretion.”
46 / 2002-04-02 - Gero VON RANDOW, Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung. Frankfurt a. M.
Manuscript Print 2001(Copy No.: 56)
Extract:
“In your contributions in the FAZ, particularly in “Das Gesicht der Wissenschaft” [The Face of Science] from
15.1.02, you have addressed the problematic nature of the freedom of science and its anchoring in the German
constitution. In your latest review of Enzensberger’s anthology “Elixiere der Wissenschaft” [Elixirs of Science]
you evaluate his “highly topical criticism of science” and his criticism of the “hegemonial position” of certain
specialist fields approvingly. This has moved us to send you our documentation and to ask you for journalistic help
in the reintroduction of scientific freedom in the field of theoretical physics. In this field, since 1922, every bit of
criticism of the special theory of relativity has been suppressed by concealment and slander, as a means of
protecting an untenable theory, the invalidity of which could only be concealed from the public by the abolition of
scientific freedom. The canonization of the theory and its author in the megalomaniac years of the twenties has led
to a dogmatic paralysis of physics and to the dismissal of every bit of critical research.”
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G. O. Mueller: STR 2012