Flawed understanding of the scientific process

Article Abstract:

A new drive to establish a National Institute for the Environment has been launched. Advocates for its creation say that such a body is needed to ensure that only high quality science is used as the basis for environmental policy. Such campaigns, however, are often based on an erroneous understanding of science and the scientific process. Science is a continuously evolving field whose conclusions are not necessarily invalid because they are not certain.

Evaluation, Science, Environmental policy

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Pity poor understanding

Article Abstract:

Government officials and lawmakers must know the science behind the issues they have to deal with in order to come up with reasonable policies and decisions. Unfortunately for British citizens, some of their officials seem to be confused about basic scientific principles behind some of today's most pressing issues. These cases further justify the need for a public scientific education.

Planning, Practice, Political aspects, Politicians, Sciences education, Science education, Domestic policy

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The ends of understanding

Article Abstract:

A meeting held in London, England, in May 1997, discussed the limits of reductionism in biology. The reductionism theory seeks to explain the effects that the behaviour of small numbers of simple components governed by strict and simple laws has on a wide variety of natural phenomena. The meeting concluded that the overenthusiastic search for reductionism may limit discovery.

Reductionism

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