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Posted by Sergei on November 19, 1999 at 15:00:39:
In Reply to: Is science a threat for democracy ? posted by JJ Kupiec on November 12, 1999 at 06:24:17:
If you define science as a set of reproducible observations, there is no threat to democracy, simply because strict laws of nature can not be democratically argued. A flying bullet will hit whatever is in its way, no matter if the target is concerned with democracy or not. In other words, you can not be democratic with God. Thus, it is not a threat, it is a fact.
If, however, you define science as a set of interpretations of what is observed, there is a whole wide opened field for democracy, simply because interpretations are always argued about. Darwinism is one of the best examples of such arguable "science", with totally democratic attitude from various individuals and groups. They can even ban it as heresy (Kansas).
The reason for journalists not contradicting scientists is purely societal, either because journalists are generally not well educated in sciences, or because in many cultures scientists enjoy unreasonable respect from the rest of the society.