If politics had been based on scientific evidence, the best arguments, and compassion, the world would be very different today. Did CS have any ideas about specific ways to get there?
He was a science educator who believed the path forward was empathetic education of everyone equally with the fundmentals of scientific skeptical inquiry, that we all are born scientists, in awe of the natural world, and that our education system erodes that.
What strikes me (so far), reading The Demon Haunted World, is how, 30 years later, global warming keeps breaking records. Every time I encounter similar reasoning, I end up believing more strongly in the need for the global public to unite behind common, independent goals, disarming profitpower
“A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it.”
Max Planck
"Scientific Autobiography and Other Papers" (1949)
I grew up in the same town as a lot of Trumpers. I can’t say I’m smarter than they are. I’m not particularly empathetic. I’m a bit lazy in most ways, except: I have a busy mind.
The simple traits that make up our saving grace are curiosity and humility - self-doubt works too.
Comments
How, is always my question.
Which of his books should one read? :)
I recommend The Demon Haunted World.
Thanks for the advice, the book will soon be in my mind :)
https://archive.org/details/episode-11-the-persistence-of-memory/Episode+1+The+Shores+of+the+Cosmic+Ocean.mp4
Why? Humans are lazy, afraid to break from the pack and think for themselves and terrible at long term consequences?
Nature vs Nature - the founders vs the followers?
“A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it.”
Max Planck
"Scientific Autobiography and Other Papers" (1949)
The simple traits that make up our saving grace are curiosity and humility - self-doubt works too.