scientific-illiteracy
The widespread lack of understanding of scientific principles and processes among the general population, including educated individuals.
1 chapter across 1 book
What Should We Be Worried About: Real Scenarios That Keep Scientists Up at Night (2013)John Brockman
This chapter explores the enduring divide between the sciences and humanities, as originally described by C. P. Snow, through the lens of contemporary debates such as the nature-nurture discussion in sex differences and the sociopolitical influences on scientific inquiry. Simon Baron-Cohen highlights the complex interplay between biology and culture in human behavior and worries about persistent polarization in academic attitudes toward biological contributions. Nicholas Christakis emphasizes the risks of political interference in science, while Leo Chalupa illustrates widespread scientific illiteracy even among educated individuals, underscoring the growing gap between scientific elites and the general public.