According to Science

[Nakosis]

You hear this phrase used a lot by politicians.

What does this mean to you?

 

[Secret Chief]

When politicians use it?

 

[Left Coast]

You hear this phrase used a lot by politicians.

What does this mean to you?

Typically it means, "according to the majority or concensus of scientists."

 

[McBell]

You hear this phrase used a lot by politicians.

What does this mean to you?

I typically feel the need to verify anything a politician says...
...ESPECIALLY if they claim science agrees with it.

 

[Salty Booger]

You hear this phrase used a lot by politicians.

What does this mean to you?

I don't believe politicians are doing science any favors.

 

[ADigitalArtist]

'A press release of a study I didn't read headlined this.'

 

[Nakosis]

When politicians use it?

just been hearing it from politicians a lot.

From a scientist, it might have a different meaning.

 

[ChristineM]

You hear this phrase used a lot by politicians.

What does this mean to you?

I wouldn't trust a politician as far as i could throw them so when they say *according to science* I ask myself *what science* and where possible, assuming it impacts on me and mine, i check?

 

[Nakosis]

Typically it means, "according to the majority or concensus of scientists."

Yeah, but that's really not what it should mean. Science shouldn't be about consensus IMO.

 

[SigurdReginson]

Politicians realize folks care about it, and they use it on you the same way they use education, racism, police, freedom, and any other issue they think will influence people. It has little to do with accuracy, or even reality; it instead has more to do with people's perceptions of accuracy and reality.

 

[Left Coast]

Yeah, but that's really not what it should mean. Science shouldn't be about consensus IMO.

Why not?

Science is a human endeavor that requires replication of experiments and confirmation of evidence and results. As such, it's always a group effort.

 

[syo]

''According to science.'' Hmmm.....

 

[Heyo]

I don't believe politicians are doing science any favors.

What about politicians who are also scientists?

 

[ChristineM]

What about politicians who are also scientists?

Now theres a conflict of interest, the only one i know was maggie thatcher who as a scientist invented angel delight (nuf said) and as a politician ****ed the country so hard that its still not complete recovered

 

[Altfish]

You hear this phrase used a lot by politicians.

What does this mean to you?

When politicians use it, it usually means...
1) I'm lying
2) I've found a scientist who'll take the money and agree with me.

 

[exchemist]

Yeah, but that's really not what it should mean. Science shouldn't be about consensus IMO.

But it is. If there is no scientific consensus, you can't say what is "according to science" and what is not. Rival theories contend during the process of doing science but eventually things settle down and a consensus forms. Any such consensus is never final, however. New data can always overturn it.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

When used by a politician or media pundit, the phrase is a rhetorical ploy called an 'appeal to authority.'

 

[Heyo]

Now theres a conflict of interest, the only one i know was maggie thatcher who as a scientist invented angel delight (nuf said) and as a politician ****ed the country so hard that its still not complete recovered

Merkel has an ScD in physics.

 

[Salty Booger]

What about politicians who are also scientists?

I don't know. Do they use science to manipulate the public?

 

[ChristineM]

Merkel has an ScD in physics.

I am now a little wiser, thanks