How science spies on nature and how technology imitates nature

In the past years, tremendous investments in time, energy and resources have been made to learn the mutual relationship in the triangle of science‑technology‑nature. Successes in science and technology have been achieved due to the possibility of spying on nature by means of various methods and techniques. Recent exceptional advances in science and technology suggest that the above mentioned triangle will fascinate scientists, engineers, physicists and philosophers of science for a very long time to comein, and have prompted us to organize the conference in Gdańsk on 25–28.September 2011 entitled „How  Science Spies on Nature and How Technology Imitates Nature”.

The objective of this conference was to create a forum for researchers who are involved in natural sciences, technology and in the philosophy of science in order to share views, learn about the relationship expressed by the triangle of science‑technology‑nature, and to develop new ideas or points of view for the benefit of their own research efforts. Another aim of the conference was to inform the public about this relationship. Consequently, we have proposed a discussion panel at the end of the conference entitled „The Relationship Between Science, Technology and Nature”.