Showing posts with label junk science. Show all posts
Showing posts with label junk science. Show all posts

There is science and , then, there is impact science. One is about facts; the other is about advancing a political agenda.

Nathan Confas and his research team propose a different explanation. They suggest that increasing levels of skepticism towards scientific institutions is partly a reaction to the politicization—namely, the liberalization—of these institutions.
The distrust is not driven by all scientists, but rather by what Confas and his team refer to as “impact scientists.” These are researchers, typically working in the social sciences and environmental science, who often conduct research with the stated goal of raising awareness of left-liberal issues, or acceptance of left-liberal policy solutions. 
“There is a strong possibility that conservatives are not opposed to, or skeptical of, science per se. Rather, they lack trust in impact scientists whom they see as seeking in influence policy in a liberal direction,” explains Confas. 
He points to the field of sociology as an example. A recent study surveying 479 sociology professors discovered that only 4 percent identify as conservative or libertarian, while 86 percent identify as liberal or left-radical.
[RELATED: STUDY: Only 2% of sociology profs identify as conservative]
The unstated goal of sociology, Confas suggests, “involves reorganizing society to fight inequality, oppression, poverty  . . . .