¿Por qué confiar en la ciencia? - Naomi Oreskes y Pablo Marquet | Antofagasta 2022

Updated: November 20, 2024

Puerto de Ideas


Summary

The video delves into the significance of trust in science amidst growing distrust and denial by political leaders. It emphasizes exploring scientific uncertainty through historical and modern examples, such as the limitations of the hypothetical deductive model and the value of the inductive approach in understanding complex phenomena like climate change. The speaker advocates for a transdisciplinary approach to tackle global challenges, urging for universities to embrace interdisciplinary perspectives and break traditional disciplinary boundaries to foster innovation and problem-solving abilities. Additionally, the video touches upon the importance of humility in accepting the provisional nature of scientific knowledge and the need for diverse representation, especially highlighting the underrecognized contributions of women philosophers and experts in the field.


Introduction

The speaker starts by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to speak at the conference and shares the motivation behind writing the book on trust and science.

Reasons for Writing the Book

The speaker discusses the reasons for writing the book, including addressing public distrust in science, dealing with uncertainty, countering deliberate mistrust generation, and responding to science denial by political leaders.

Impact of COVID-19

The speaker highlights the resistance to scientific evidence during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of trust in science as a matter of life and death.

Scientific Uncertainty

The concept of scientific uncertainty is explored through historical examples like Pascal's Wager, emphasizing the complexities and challenges in scientific discovery and conclusion.

Hypothetical Deductive Model

The limitations of the hypothetical deductive model in science are discussed, citing examples like the Ptolemaic system in astronomy and the need for auxiliary hypotheses and instrument sensitivity in testing theories.

Inductive Approach

The inductive approach in science is explained, drawing from historical instances like Darwin's work and the role of modeling in understanding phenomena that are challenging to observe directly.

Lesson on Scientific Knowledge

The speaker discusses the importance of collective scientific knowledge, the complexity of the natural world, and the need for time to understand and solve complex problems.

Transdisciplinary Approach

The speaker highlights the mismatch between the complexity of societal problems and the narrow way of studying them, advocating for a more transdisciplinary approach to address issues like climate change.

Interdisciplinary Research

The speaker emphasizes the importance of universities embracing interdisciplinary perspectives and evaluating researchers based on problem-solving abilities rather than disciplinary boundaries.

Challenges of Climate Change

Discussion on the multifaceted nature of climate change and the need for diverse disciplines to address its various dimensions, citing the engagement of multiple disciplines in recent IPCC reports.

Breaking Disciplinary Thinking

The speaker discusses the need to break through traditional disciplinary boundaries to tackle global problems like poverty, inequality, and environmental damage in the 21st century.

Acknowledging Provisional Knowledge

Exploration of the concept of incomplete knowledge and the importance of humility in accepting the provisional nature of scientific knowledge, urging scientists to be open to learning from colleagues in different disciplines.

Invisibility of Women Philosophers

Reflection on the invisibility of women philosophers like Helen Longino and Sarah Harding in the field of philosophy of science, emphasizing the importance of integrating their work into mainstream philosophy discussions.

Gender Bias in Science Communication

Discussion on the gender bias in scientific expertise representation in media, showcasing the challenges women face in being recognized as experts and the need for conscious efforts to address implicit biases.


FAQ

Q: What are some reasons for writing a book on trust and science?

A: Some reasons for writing a book on trust and science include addressing public distrust in science, dealing with uncertainty, countering deliberate mistrust generation, and responding to science denial by political leaders.

Q: How is scientific uncertainty explored in the discussion?

A: Scientific uncertainty is explored through historical examples like Pascal's Wager, emphasizing the complexities and challenges in scientific discovery and conclusion.

Q: What limitations of the hypothetical deductive model in science are discussed?

A: The limitations discussed include examples like the Ptolemaic system in astronomy and the need for auxiliary hypotheses and instrument sensitivity in testing theories.

Q: What is the inductive approach in science and how is it explained?

A: The inductive approach in science involves drawing from historical instances like Darwin's work and the role of modeling in understanding phenomena that are challenging to observe directly.

Q: Why is it important for universities to embrace interdisciplinary perspectives?

A: It is important for universities to embrace interdisciplinary perspectives to address societal problems like climate change effectively, advocating for a more transdisciplinary approach.

Q: What is emphasized regarding the mismatch between the complexity of societal problems and the narrow way of studying them?

A: The importance of considering a more transdisciplinary approach and evaluating researchers based on problem-solving abilities rather than disciplinary boundaries is emphasized.

Q: Why is there a need to break through traditional disciplinary boundaries to tackle global problems?

A: Breaking through traditional disciplinary boundaries is essential to tackle global problems like poverty, inequality, and environmental damage in the 21st century effectively.

Q: What is the concept of incomplete knowledge and why is humility important in science?

A: The concept of incomplete knowledge acknowledges the provisional nature of scientific knowledge and emphasizes the importance of humility and openness to learning from colleagues in different disciplines.

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