Why has Science Become Politicized?

I don't know is it different. Maybe I am wrong. Please tell me what the definition of a scientific theory is then.

 

Science isn't a popularity contest. You, I, and most people are in no position to have an opinion. We are only qualified to learn as much as we can about what the experts say.

Since when did joe blow become a scientist? That is the problem. Everyone thinks their opinion matters when it doesn't.

If you need brain surgery, are you going to a brain surgeon, or are you going to take a poll on the internet to see if you need surgery?

 

so I'm not allowed to have an opinion on things. What exactly are you trying to say?

 

A scientific theory is an explanation of some aspect of the natural world that can, in accordance with the scientific method, be repeatedly tested, using a predefined protocol of observations and experiments.[1][2] Established scientific theories have withstood rigorous scrutiny and are a comprehensive form of scientific knowledge

 

ok thanks for clarifying

 

Why would you? Are you an expert? How many years have you dedicated to preparing yourself to understand the information?

Again, if you need brain surgery, are you going to ask joe blow to do the surgery, or the experts?

 

its truly ignorant to compare a general laymen's "theory" to a "Scientific Theory".

its a common dishonest tactic used by the Right, to attack science.

 

with all due respect, you got that from Wikipedia which not a viable source for definitions. Also can you leave a link next time.

 

This is a fair point. I think your making an unfair distinction between a situation in which life and death is at stake and a situation where someone is giving their opinion casually in a conversation. I agree that an experts opinion should be respected, but if they give an opinion or an idea that I think sounds off or is illogical, I am not just going to take their word for it.

 

"Scientific Theory"

-----a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena

-----coherent group of propositions formulated toexplain a group of facts or phenomena in thenatural world and repeatedly confirmedthrough experiment or observation:

------A tested and widely accepted model that helps explain and predict natural facts and which is based on observations, experiments and reason. In order for a business or scientific theory to develop credibility, it must be subjected to the stringent test of a thorough peer review performed by experts in the same field.

 

It's also ignorant to pretend like the definition of scientific theory doesn't still allow for the possibility of it being false. Explaining it with nuance is better than countering falsehood with falsehood. You're just replacing one lie- "it's just a theory, meaning it's not yet settled", with another- "it's scientific theory, meaning it's 100% proven fact".

 

Science becomes politicized when politicians are given the ability to fund certain projects. It's funding, and at the end of the day, you'll find that a lot of people aren't entirely anti-funding.

You can tell when things aren't science when they advocate stuff that goes against the very key fundamentals of science. For example, the AGW debate. So I am an AGW advocate. Do the science types think I'm right? You'd think that would be the case since I am totally in favor of global warming.

But that's not the case. So when you find some doofus who thinks that being pro-global warming is bad, then they are actually anti-science since I am totally committed to the idea that global warming exists, and is happenning.

But none of these global warming ******nozzles want to get behind me. Now why is that?

Because they have a political agenda. They don't care about science at all. All they care about is taking more of your money so that they can spend it. That's all they care about. Most of them don't even know what science is.

 

This is exactly what I am talking about. You view science as something that can't be attacked with debate or can be questioned because you essentially view it as your form of secular religion. This is why science has become so politicized because of attitudes like the ones you have shown.

 

scientific theories are factual until proven otherwise

 

If it sounds illogical? Based on what knowledge? As a physicist I can tell you that Quantum Mechanics is highly illogical, but it also happens to give the correct answers every time.

 

You aren't helping. That is entirely false.

 

really?

Theory of Relativity is not factual?

huh

 

with all due respect that is bullshit and you know it.

 

Translation: "I declare it is impossible for an educated professional to be corrupt because of the nobleness of the field, therefor, anyone not educated in said field has no right to question the authenticity of the claim coming from said field."

You do realize there are such things as libraries? Are you saying professors offer intrinsic insight one can't achieve else where? Just curious. If science is strictly "by the numbers", with unbiased results, how could the perspective of a human being play any part? Surely a book reads the same, regardless of the room it's placed.

Or are you saying the field of science warps a human into some infallible unicorn? Free of all the limitations and cravings of every other? You do realize how ridiculous that would be, right?

 

no, recognized scientific theories should be treated as factual until proven otherwise.
again, all it takes is a little nuance.

 

that's your intelligent argument?

LOL!!!

no.


sorry, but the Theory of General Relativity is correct until someone proves its wrong.

 

What am trying to say is that if a expert on whatever, gives me an opinion or gives me a "fact" that I know is false or wrong, I am not just going to take their word for it. I am going to be skeptical of it.

 

you're splitting hairs there, bro.

we are saying the same thing

 

unless you have great knowledge and experience in a specific scientific field, you are in no position to arbitrarily disregard the findings of scientists who know a lot more than you.