jim clark wrote -
"> On the same lines - and again without references - there are
> those who claim that after winning a Nobel Prize noted and
> successful scientists often seem to come out with what are
> seen as 'wacky' theories. Could it be that the objective and
> observable success acts as a buffer allowing non-conformist
> statements to be made with less risk.
Surveys have consistently shown that exceptional scientists are
even less religious than conventional scientists, who are in turn
less religious than the general population. So it would be
surprising if the "wacky" theories were of a religious sort
(e.g., creationism), although there are undoubtedly exceptions.
When (if?) "wacky" theories do come from previously-sound minds,
other explanations (i.e., other than conformity) might include:
(1) grandiosity (i.e., their previous successes have blinded them
to the fundamental flaws that often affect human judgment), (2)
boredom (i.e., they have "grasped" the fundamentals and are
looking for another great challenge ... I wondered this about a
notable psychologist who bizarrely support psychic ideas later in
his career), and (3) comfort needs (i.e., they have a natural
desire that there be something after death)."
Of course I did not imply that they espoused creationism only that one explanation
that had been offered for an apparent willingness to stand out against orthodoxy
suggested that conformity was being overcome - perhaps for the reasons, esp. no.1 that
you give. Although the only nobel prize winners I've ever met (and it's met, not
known) did not suffer from that problem at all.
Paul C. Smith wrote
"At the same time, though, of course this runs both ways. I'm quite sure
that I'm not the only one on this list who frequently finds the need to keep
his mouth shut in situations in which the religious orthodoxy holds the
reins (for example, when I attended church with my mother at Christmas, and
had to listen to the pastor repeatedly blame the 9/11 terrorist attacks on
"pagans").
And you can be even more certain that the evolutionary perspective doesn't
get a fair hearing at creationist organizations
(/churches/schools/universities). All I have is anecdote as well, but I have
a dear friend who briefly attended Bob Jones University, but found the
intellectual intolerance intolerable <grin>. I don't think there's much need
to go beyond a claim and an anecdote with respect to this point. I doubt
that anyone seriously believes that a student at a creationist university
who believed in evolution would be able to openly talk about those beliefs
without facing "opprobrium". The prejudice most definitely runs both ways."
Of course you are right and it is not hard to find examples of conformity - I was just
struck by this one - let's face it you only need a group of 3 in order to find the
conformity as strong as in a group of 12. We don't have institutions like the Bob
Jones University in Britain as far as I know (Bible and Theological colleges abound)
but I assume this is a more general univeristy, but your friend's case is another nice
example. I've also seen it in Open
University groups in this country where students have clearly disagreed with the
prevailing view and equally clearly not felt able to express their view. In that case
it was an academic liberal humanism.
Paul also wrote
The rampant dishonesty of the creationists is in sharp
contrast to the scientists' sense of responsibility to the truth. It often
feels as though the scientists are fighting with one arm tied behind their
backs, devoutly following the rules no matter how badly the creationists
misbehave.
I'm not sure that this is really fair - I'm not saying there are none that fit your
description, but there are some who are, I believe, trying to apply those same
standards to their work while not every scientist has been as rigorous as we would
hope. However of course it is a much bigger deal in the States and my experience is
necessarily limited.
David
--
David L Gent
South Birmingham College
Cole Bank Road
Hall Green
Birmingham
B28 8ES
UK
Telephone: +44 (0)121 694 5030
Facsimile: +44 (0)121 694 5007
Electronic Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
---
You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
