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Science as a way of thinking for elected officials

Pioneer Press Sat, 15 Dec 2007 02:14:37 -0700
SCIENCE DEBATE 2008 Call on candidates to talk about science - and demonstrate ability to reason

Whether the issue is global warming, embryonic stem-cell research, ballistic missile defense or the future of the world's oceans, the same bass line thumps in the background: Sound political decision-making relies, more than ever before, on accurate scientific information. ... In fact, it's not going too far to say that science in its broadest sense - by which we mean "scientific thinking" - is crucial in every area of policy-making. Science requires a willingness to reject conclusions once they're shown to be in error and it demands that all the data be considered, not just that which agrees with a priori opinions. A president [ed: or any other elected official] capable of assessing scientific issues by weighing competing positions and evaluating the evidence supporting them could be expected to carry the same mode of reasoning into other policy arenas where it's equally crucial. [emphasis added]

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