Why are so many people wary of science?

[KnowYourOnion]

After reading a couple of topics here and else where it struck me that a good percentage of people seem to either harbour doubts about science or openly admit to not trusting scientists in general.
So fellow escapists what do you think about science, scientists and why do some many people dislike "science" overall?

 

[master m99]

people can sometimes be unnerved by what they dont undersatnd i guess

 

[Flamezdudes]

I know one person in my school who says that all Science is lies, etc. I'm not surprised since she's a hardcore Christian. It just... baffles me.

 

[azncutthroat]

Scientists are the people who never get enough credit for advancing humanity.

Some people, in particular religious fundamentalists/radical conservatives, hate science because it conflicts with their beliefs.

 

[oppp7]

I'm guessing it's more to do with scientists than science. Sometimes they act on stuff without knowing everything about a situation and unintended consequences occur(at least that's what happens in sci-fi, which I'm guessing gives most people their outlooks on this).

 

[aPod]

I know one person in my school who says that all Science is lies, etc. I'm not surprised since she's a hardcore Christian. It just... baffles me.

Im a hardcore Christian and i think science is great... does that also baffle you?

I dont know anyone who is genuinely against science. To me thats just ignorant.

EDIT: To clarify... you arent ignorant but people who fear science are.

Although some stuff is pretty scary, like the a-bomb for instance.

 

[A Pious Cultist]

A lack of understanding makes them think that scientists don't know what they're doing and that they're endeavouring, either blindly or purposely, to cross the "natural boundries" and "play god".

 

[KnowYourOnion]

I know one person in my school who says that all Science is lies, etc. I'm not surprised since she's a hardcore Christian. It just... baffles me.

Im a hardcore Christian and i think science is great... does that also baffle you?

I dont know anyone who is genuinely against science. To me thats just ignorant.

I think what he means by Hardcore Christian is creationist and bible-bashing not someone of strong faith

 

[The Maddest March Hare]

I don't dislike all science, just some of it. Mostly the size and use of the budgets. Look at the LHC. What do we get out of it if it works? Scientists might be able to say they've found a particle that doesn't really affect us, they can just confirm/deny a few theories of theirs about the formation of the universe.

Now imagine what we could have accomplished if that £2.6 billion had been put into cancer research. There are thousands of charities out there getting practically nothing while the Higg's Boson research gets now coming towards £3billion thrown at it with glee.

 

[Marter]

They have "lied" in the past, so people no longer trust them.

It's also such an ever changing field of study. For instance, some parts of the science I'm taking in school now will be obsolete in 10-15 years. It changes so rapidly that people don't listen, as they know it won't be true later on.

 

[Kajt]

Spoiler: Scientists are badasses.

But seriously, science is awesome. It's what brought us games, after all.

 

[Cowabungaa]

People often fear what they don't understand, and many scientific things go beyond the understanding of the average person.

 

[Kapol]

Science is good as it helps us know more about the world around us and how and why everything works. People don't like science for various reasons, but some don't trust it as it's always changing. Years ago, science said the world was flat. Yes, that was a long LONG time ago, but it still helps to show the point.

 

[cuddly_tomato]

Science is a process of trial and error. Some people are turning it into a religion unto itself. This is what worries me, because it is as corrosive to real science as battery acid is to teeth.

 

[KnowYourOnion]

I respect science and scientists, I'm just turned off by all the theorems. Never had the heart for that kind of stuff.

I think it's mostly because a lot of people don't like people smarter than them telling them what's right and wrong.

Much to my disappointment I would probably have to agree with you there...people like to think they're smartest person in the room even when their mental capacity could fit in a thimble and a small thimble at that

 

[Arawn.Chernobog]

People, in general, are stupid and ignorant, therefore afraid of anything they can't understand (or can't explain without any proper education, such as using "goddidit"), the majority of the world's population's opinion should not be taken into accord when advancing scientifically, they're bound to twist it up and assumed YET ANOTHER "Doomsday scenario".

 

[Dyp100]

People fear why they don't understand, also, they are raised to believe something, and science tends to tell them otherwise.

Almost all people are stupid and ignorant, and don't like people telling them things that don't make sense with what they know, especially someone as "geeky" as a scientist. Hurts their pride and all, I suppose.

-Sigh- Life is always still a popularity game, looks will get you anywhere, even if you don't have the brains to back it up.

 

[Kagim]

My thoughts are just when you look at science on the whole you have good and bad things.

We have weapons of mass destruction, weaponized crippling viruses. Biological and nuclear weapons being pumped out.

Then you get to the good stuff. GM goods, organ and blood cloning. Stem cells, I've even heard people against umbilical cord stem cell harvests.

What you get i think is people see both things being done by the same people. In other words..

"If the people who brought us Anthrax and Atomic warheads made GM goods how can we be sure these people can be trusted to care about human safety over a paycheck."

 

[JPAD89]

Well some people are wary of science (as far as i can gather) because technically (and i am talking technically here) scientific theories can never "truly" be proven to be correct, only 'probably correct' this iv learned after countless tedious discussion with the uni lecturer in the class 'Principles and perspectives of science'

also scientists as had been said, can be one of the problems as many seem to skip over the little problem (i feel this is a good moment to mention im an atheist studying a philosophy degree) of when their theories dont ring true, they try the ad hoc approach and attempt to repair or change them slightly.
its all very inductivist even now in this day and age, and there is alot of problems with that.

dont get me wrong, science is fab....loving the medicine and increased technology, but everyone should approach science with a little bit of weariness....if only to make them better scientists.