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I fear that as the scientifically correct action keeps getting further and further divorced from the 'common sense' action on any given issue, the two worlds wi
by alexandros 16y ago
I fear that as the scientifically correct action keeps getting further and further divorced from the 'common sense' action on any given issue, the two worlds will continue to divide, and as the distance increases, science will get harder and harder to follow.
The bridging has to be done by cultural evolution, so that the prejudices that form by 18 are not as counter-science as they are now, but even so, they cannot be adapted to future science when it's not yet in existence.
So we need a culture based on constant learning and adapting our views to evidence. Based on the amount of cognitive bias we have built-in, the 'uncoolness' of rationality, and the speed of scientific progress, I'm not hopeful save for deep de-biasing interventions on our hardware.
Let's see what 'anti-' movement that's going to raise.
- cstuder 16y agoIf you're interested in Science Fiction, you might want to read Neal Stephensons 'Anathem'. It plays exactly with your scenario: Scientific groups isolating themselves intentionally from the 'secular' world. Funny enough, their scientists look like priest to the common people. And the common people are basically required to blindly accept what these priest... well... preach. Science turns into religion. It's always something I think about, when I see another survey whether you 'believe' in evolution or climate change.
- kd0amg 16y agoAnd for a rather different take on science-as-religion, try A Canticle for Leibowitz.