What’s to Like about Science?

Twentieth Century philosopher of science Karl Popper (pictured) wrote: The game of science is, in principle, without end. He who decides one day that scientific statements do not call for any further test, and that they can be regarded as finally verified, retires from the game.

It would be wonderful if this concept were understood by the common American,  Not only is science not infallible, it could be said that it’s always wrong at some level.  With each passing year, what was once regarded as cutting-edge thinking is replaced by new discoveries, bringing us better understandings of ourselves and the universe in which we live.  It’s the only tool we have at our disposal that makes possible this remarkable progress.

Sadly, we live in a country in which a significant number of people believe that most scientists are corrupt, and will manipulate their data as required to enable them to say whatever their paid to say.  Now, if this inane cynicism were confined to a few QAnon nut-jobs, it would be largely inconsequential.  The problem is that it’s a key theme among the millions of consumers of Fox News and the other extreme right-wing “news” sources.