  In 2007 an international conference engaged a reflection on the present
conditions for sciences and scientific practice, to initiate a dialogue between
science, philosophy, epistemology and sociology. Starting from many examples
taken from the history of sciences and the present status of astrophysics,
cosmology and fundamental physics, I analyze various issues such as the
possible limits of theoretical and technological advances, the paradox of
non-verifiability in string theory, incompleteness, the role of imagination in
scientific research along with educational aspects, the epistemological value
of the Ockham's razor principle for constraining theories, and our undersanding
of man's place in Creation.
