Science and Democracy

Science is not about votes or people's will. It is wholly and solely about fact, fact, and fact. But facts can be manipulated. Science debunks manipulated facts otherwise known as untruths. Truth turns up only when no stone is unturned. 

Scientists are investigators through and through. Science is a fact-finding mission first and foremost. Its findings have to be peer-reviewed so that doubts can be raised and addressed. 

That's why secret science projects always arouse public suspicion. In an open society, we have elected officials who are supposed to monitor secret science projects. But we remain skeptical, knowing that elected officials could be asleep on the swithch for whatever reason. In a close society, meanwhile, being skeptical is being in danger.

Compared to autocracy, democracy is much more conducive to self-rectification because everything under the sun is subject to debate. No serious science can thrive without open debate.

Science and democracy are NOT two sides of the same coin. Still, science can benefit hugely from democracy, and vice versa.


Author: renqiulan