In reference to the subject line of this thread, an equally interesting question is why, in the years from 1974 until the present, liberals/progressives have not, along with Sting, "lost their faith in Science, Progress...". After all, as he noted, "I never saw no miracle of science, that didn't go from a blessing to a curse, I never saw no military solution, that didn't always end up as something worse."
It is true, as Jim notes, that although liberals haven't lost much faith in science in recent years, they also don't give it extremely high levels of support. But what segment of society does receive any respect? Clergy? Politicians? Professors? I think our modern day Jesters (such as the one recently nominated as our greatest public intellectual), also known as late night comedians, are the most highly valued, as much for their cynicism as their respect for truth. In our current society, which seems to have lost any need for authority or evidence (everyone has an opinion and all are equal), how has science escaped a liberal loss of faith? Maybe because liberals perceive science somehow as on their side with recent articles like: Kanazawa, Satoshi. 2010. “Why Liberals and Atheists Are More Intelligent.” Social Psychology Quarterly. 73: 33-57. Although, to be fair, he followed it up with: Kanazawa, Satoshi. 2012. The Intelligence Paradox: Why the Intelligent Choice Isn’t Always the Smart One. New York: Wiley. And many more interesting studies at: http://personal.lse.ac.uk/Kanazawa/ A final question: who is more likely to adopt a postmodern worldview in which Mike's listed purpose of science ("to provide a factual, truthful, accurate, and valid representation of the world and physical reality") would be risible, conservatives or liberals? I don't think the proper approach to science education is to attempt to inculcate a respect for science. I believe that will come when we give people understanding of how to appropriately understand and critique science. Science can stand rational critique; a much greater threat to science is to be perceived as being co-opted by those of a particular political persuasion. Rick Dr. Rick Froman, Chair Division of Humanities and Social Sciences John Brown University Siloam Springs, AR 72761 [email protected] ________________________________________ From: Michael Palij [[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2012 9:37 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Cc: Michael Palij Subject: [tips] Why Do Conservatives Distrust Science? It may have become apparent to many that there are certain segments of the population that are both hostile to and distrustful of science. This might strike scientists as bizarre because one purpose of science is to provide a factual, truthful, accurate, and valid representation of the world and physical reality -- and has been able to do so more successfully that any other approach to knowledge development. The question is why? --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=17035 or send a blank email to leave-17035-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
