Home / Sections / Sociology of Science

Sociology of Science

Science is arguably the most revolutionary social enterprise that humans have ever invented. Today’s technology-intensive global culture exists because everything that science touches science transforms. Not everyone loves science, but whether or not you own a cell phone, surf the Internet, or wear a pair of Google Glasses, there’s no denying that your life has been affected by science.

That science has transformed nearly every aspect of the human experience is beyond doubt. Whether science has changed humans and the world we inhabit for the better is a more open question. If you have an opinion about the virtues or vices of science, then I invite you to share your thoughts. The future is not yet determined. You can either be a bystander or an agent of change in the process of creating the future. History is always kinder to the movers and shakers. To submit a paper to this section email Tim McGettigan proftim [at] mail.com

The Ideology of Darwin

darwin

Humanity used to believe in God, but now they believe in Darwin. This is a bit of an extreme statement, since most people still believe in God, but the sentiment is accurate. Darwin's theories of the MECHANISMS of evolution has had a major impact on the social, emotional, and even spiritual fabric of this planet. There is a problem though. In a lot of ways Darwin's theories seem more like canon, or ideology, than good science. This article explores early awareness of the ideological nature of Darwinian theory, and provides some suggestions on how scientists can break free of dogma that has more to do with religion than with good science.

Read More »

Live Long and Prosper: The 100 Year Starship Project

To infinity...!

“The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them”—Albert Einstein The Defense Advanced Research Research Projects Agency (DARPA) recently announced an extraordinary new project, the 100 Year Starship ...

Read More »

A Prelude to Good Science

Good Science

I tend to agree with Karl Popper far more than I disagree. Nevertheless, I diverge from Popper over his under-specification of truth (BTW: I work out the particulars of this argument in much greater detail in a forthcoming book, Good ...

Read More »