Science is probably the only human act that often surprises us

Asst. dr. Tibor Rutara scientist who is changing allt, is a lecturer and researcher at the Department of Sociology at the Faculty of Arts, University of Maribor.

Present us the instrument you most often or prefer to use at work.

Father of Sociology, Karl Marxaccordingly noted that neither microscopes nor chemical reagents can be used in social sciences, so the power of abstraction must be our main instrument. Thankfully, half a century has passed since then, so today, in addition to naked thinking, computer and statistics help us to explore. I use mostly enthusiastically advanced statistical methodswhich allow us to recognize the causal factors of social phenomena and do not remain limited to the search for bare statistical links where we do not know what the factor is and what the consequence is.

The fundamental problem in sociology is that we usually cannot perform the right experiments where we would have two completely comparable groups of people or countries, then expose one to « treatment » (such as raising in conservative values ​​or raised capital taxes), and others not, and over time checked what effects the « treatment » had in the first group. Advanced statistics allow us to simulate this situation without actually (and unethically) classifying people or countries into control and experimental groups.

How would you explain to the average in a maximum of hundreds of words, what are you exploring?

Ever wonder how well (or bad) is an informed typical voter today; Why exactly (if any) is a democratic system as we have in Slovenia, better for life than autocracy, such as Hungary or Russia; How Global Opening Countries for Trading (or Closing, As we are watching helpless today Donald Trump) affects our living standards and inequality between people; how to move in the direction of a more capitalist economy (or breaks from it) affect poverty, the number of suicides and murders, and, for example, the quality of the rights enjoyed by women; In what historical and social circumstances do wars become more or less common? I explore this.

Why do you love science?

Because it is the only systematic feat of humanity to find out what is in nature and society and how what exists works. Not a common sense, not religion, no superstition, no fantasy, or anything else, none of this leads us to the truth. Even science is sometimes disturbed and is always just an approximation. But it is the only reliable method we have. Science is also therefore probably the only human act that often surprises us – we expect the data to confirm what we want to believe, but it turns out the opposite. This is damn fun and stimulating.

What good could your work bring to humanity?

Knowledge of how to change society if we want to achieve certain proceeds. Many, and allegedly supposedly politicians, are interested in what social reforms would reduce poverty, halve crime, raise social trust or increase life satisfaction.

When did you know you would be a researcher?

Somewhere in the last year of undergraduate study. Suddenly, I got a strong (though naive) feeling that thinking about social sciences is good for me, and above all, I was naturally attracted by the non -intelligence of action and the simplest influence of political and economic events at the time (around 2012, at the top of the recession in Slovenia).

What interesting in addition to research are you doing?

My life beyond exploration would seem common, perhaps even boring. At least for now, exploring my hobby. Maybe it sounds like, but I am entertained.

What is a key feature of a good scientist?

If I say curiosity, this is a cliché. But believe that curiosity is not enough in the world, even in some places in science.

What will be the most groundbreaking discovery or knowledge in science that will change the flow of history during your life?

It is happening just and most are probably not aware of it: artificial intelligence. The world will never be the way we knew it.

Would you travel to Mars if you were offered the opportunity?

I would probably organize the trip Elon Muskand he’s not exactly my type of man!

Which source of energy would you bet for the future?

Considering the « learning curves » for renewable energy sources, certainly on them, especially in connection with recent breakthroughs in the field of battery storage. Decades ago, I would say nuclear energy, but unfortunately we have already wasted this future because of unfounded common sense concerns about its alleged danger. Too bad.

Which scientist would you go for coffee in the history of mankind?

Certainly with the « Martian » John von Neumannalthough he would have nothing since our conversation. Open the browser, enter his name and the English word « Stories » and read the first few hits. Seriously!

Which book, film, lecture, science website do you recommend to the reader?

Book The Scout Mindset Julie Galef and Social Democratic Capitalism Lana Kenworthywebsite Our World and Data and popular lectures Josha Angrist MASTERING ECONOMETRICS.

What we don’t know about your area would surprise us?

That sociology is really science.