POINTS OF VIEW
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8099 – Social Theory 4 - Science and Nonsense
When I went up to Imperial College science was reaching the peak of its influence. In particular physics -- which I studied -- was the preeminent science and indeed the preeminent academic subject overall. The scientific method met the needs of the modern world since, not least, it was highly quantifiable. At that time scientists and men in white coats, were trusted -- and their decisions ruled much of the world.
Indeed, in one way or another most professionals wanted to be scientific. Thus, the social (science) professionals -- especially management -- were desperately trying to portray themselves as scientific. By this they did not mean that they followed scientific methods - they simply didn't understand these -- but they wanted to produce lovely equations which made facts seem so certain and, in particular, looked for equations which would control the world. The neoclassical economists had their curves and -- despite the fact they were never able to cope with imperfect competition -- they had their ideas on market clearing and pricing theory. Keynes at least introduced some element of social equality into his work, but that was destroyed by Milton Friedman with his absurdity of monetarism. This, combined with the 1973 for oil price shock, put the world into a decades long recession.
The key thing about science, as I learned it, is that the true scientist realizes just how little he knows. Indeed, the essential character of the scientist is that above all he is aware of his shortcomings. The social scientist, on the other hand, is only aware of his prejudiced view of the world -- and is desperate to find equations which will lock his power into place.
Is not surprising, perhaps, that the population as a whole is no longer so trusting of sciences. Indeed, this is justified by the fact that some scientists in search of fame and fortune have joined the ranks of the charlatans by claiming more than they can provide. Accordingly, science is now held in much lower esteem. Certainly physics is no longer the preeminent discipline and the human sciences -- biochemistry for example - are taking over even in the strict fields of science. Elsewhere the population is led by fads and fashions.
This is not all bad, for much of life -- especially now so much of it is ephemeral -- is not subject of fast rules. It is fuzzy rather than fixed, and that is something that many scientists hate.
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