People often appeal to science as an antidote of sorts to propaganda and misinformation, as well as to individual biases and politically motivated interpretations. Yet the history of science and current practice reveals that scientific work involves not just logic and mathematics, but narratives, too — and models, interpretation of images, and analogical reasoning. Are these not ever likewise susceptible to faulty stereotypes, neglect of relevant observations, and biases in interpretation? If not, why not? If so, what can be done?
Susan G. Sterrett, Curtis D. Gridley Distinguished Professor of History and Philosophy of Science, presented the last talk in this five-week series on May 5. Click here to view the Zoom recording of Professor Sterrett's lecture on YouTube.