STS200 Lecture Notes - Lecture 23: Solar Radiation Management, Alarmism, Market Fundamentalism
29 Mar 2017
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Document Summary
Objective: the debate over anthropogenic climate change is an example of how scientific data and technological solutions cannot be separated from value-laden modern and postmodern views about politics, socio-economic cultures, and scientific certainty & authority. Knowledge (logos) does not simply lead to action (techne): kuhnian conservatism: Argues that sometimes we have normal scientific practice and sometimes we have scientific revolutions: religious discipline (asceticism): The roots of western science are found in religious institutions, i. e. monasteries. Scientists make conservative estimates because their burden of proof is so high. High levels of uncertainty to justify not doing anything [about climate change]. Better to not believe the truth then to believe something that is false. Climate science politics: are the scientific uncertainties too great to justify expense and inconvenience? p. 42, fuelling uncertainty: Merchant"s of doubt (book): doubt on top of scientific rigor: silencing voices: Muzzling: scientists were not able to speak to the media without government permission.
