We've reached a truly remarkable situation: a grotesque mismatch between the American intelligencia and the American electorate. A philosophical opinion about the nature of the universe which is held by the vast majority of top American scientists, and probably the majority of the intelligencia generally, is so abhorrent to the American electorate that no candidate for popular election dare affirm it in public. If I'm right, this means that high office in the greatest country in the world is barred to the very people best qualified to hold it: the intelligencia, unless they are prepared to lie about their beliefs. To put it bluntly American political opportunities are heavily loaded against those who are simultaneously intelligent and honest.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- There is a large gap between what scientists believe and what the public accepts, limiting scientific voices in politics.
- In plain terms
- Politicians often hide scientific beliefs to win votes.
- What can you take from it?
- Honest scientific views are discouraged in American politics.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Should politicians be scientists?
- Why do voters distrust experts?
Another view
Public trust in science varies by region and issue.
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