Tim Palmer in Göttingen: The Primacy of Doubt opens new perspectives on uncertainty
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Tim Palmer leads through the science of the uncertain in Göttingen
On October 11, 2026, the historic Paulinerkirche will be the venue for an extraordinary author encounter: The physicist and climate researcher Tim Palmer will present his book The Primacy of Doubt as part of the series Science at the Göttingen Literature Festival. The English-language event combines scientific precision with an understandable, thought-provoking narrative about the role of doubt.
When uncertainty becomes a tool for knowledge
Palmer puts a central assumption of modern science to the test: Uncertainty is not a deficiency but a prerequisite for a realistic understanding of the world. In The Primacy of Doubt, published in 2022 by Basic Books, he leads from chaos research to weather forecasts to quantum physics. His style combines analytical clarity with a narrative perspective that makes complex models and scientific boundary questions accessible to a wide audience.
Chaos research, climate, and quantum physics
The event bridges the gap between everyday weather forecasting and the deep structures of physical reality. Palmer shows why predictions in chaotic systems remain fundamentally limited and why precisely these limits open up new forms of thinking. This results in not just a dry lecture but a literarily engaging scientific talk about knowledge, prediction, and the unpredictability of the future.
An evening in the historic library hall
The Paulinerkirche, part of the Lower Saxony State and University Library Göttingen, offers a special reading atmosphere for this lecture. Amidst historical architecture and scientific presence, a space is created where language, voice, and argumentation have an immediate impact. The historic library hall connects the cultural memory of Göttingen with the current discourse on climate, research, and social responsibility.
Dialogue with Eberhard Bodenschatz
Following Palmer's presentation, there will be a discussion with Eberhard Bodenschatz from the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization. The exchange deepens the questions surrounding the scientific handling of uncertainty and provides the audience with an additional perspective on chaos, predictability, and complex systems.
Conclusion: Science as a literary experience
Visitors can expect an inspiring evening of reading, lectures, and scientific discussions. Tim Palmer's linguistic artistry makes abstract connections tangible and invites guests to perceive doubt not as a weakness but as a productive force of thought. Those who wish to experience science in a cultural context and discover the international literary scene of the Göttingen Literature Festival will find an extraordinary author encounter at the Paulinerkirche.
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