Research Institutions And Their Activities [antikvár]

FOREWORDSome liundred generations of men and women have given us what is in our minds about the Universe and within tlial tlie Eartli - the aits and skills and the organized body of knowledge that we now call science. We seek, we learn. One possible definition labels science as a profound intellectual activity by which the system of verifiable knowledge of connections between nature, society and thinking is treated.Like most countries of Europe, Hungaiy has understood from the veiy begining the utility of intellectual power. However there was a centuries long evolution phase ofsocial and mental ripening until in 1825 the Hungarian Academy of Sciences was given a birth. The Academy is entitled to take responsibility in all fields of sciences in our country. Although initially oriented towards the humanities, by the late nineteenth centuiy it was taking an interest in the natural sciences as well.The Academy has a double task. Firstly, as a scientific body, it takes part in directing of the research going on throughout the country, and in the elaboration, execution and supervision of research programmes. It co-ordinates research, and evaluates the progress being made in the field of sciences. Secondly the Academy owns and manages the biggest network of research institutions in Hungary. Sophisticated political and economic impacts have led the Academy during the past years to refurbish her research strategies, and instead of presei"ving some survival policies, a real renaissance of the research network has begun in 1998. A smaller than before society of scientists, a slightly shrinking network, together with a veiy thorough and target oriented funding may label the "consolidation process" of the research institutions of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.This booklet has an aim to present a short description of these institutions, their activities and the scope and field of their scientific research. We do hope, that the following passages will give information to the readers and enable them to get acquainted with these workshops.Budapest, May 1999Norbert Kroő