Trent’s Dr. Michael Hickson explores science skepticism in a post-truth era where everyone appears to be an ‘expert’
Questioning, investigating, and critiquing are critical skills for any scientist. Today, however, these same skills are increasingly being applied in opposition to science. Trent researchers, including Philosophy professor Dr. Michael Hickson, are asking why science skepticism is increasing.
With the rise of social media — and increase in misinformation — we are living in a post-truth era. Professor Hickson believes that the pandemic has fueled a new level of questioning, with people being more aware of the values and politics of science – something philosophers of science and sociologists have been aware of for decades.
“Everybody has realized now that that motto, ‘follow the science’, is very value-laden and political,” says Prof. Hickson, who goes on to explain that people have a yearning to talk about the values associated with science and whether those are indeed the right values.
“Science on its own doesn't lead in a simple linear direction toward a policy. You have to inject it with values and priorities in order to get it moving in any particular direction,” he adds. “So, we don't follow science, science follows our values. And I think you're finding opposition to science because people are not feeling that the direction we're headed in is in line with their values.”
