Description
Book SynopsisWhen the utility of masks or vaccinations became politicized during the COVID-19 pandemic and lost its mooring in scientific evidence, an already-developing crisis of expertise was exacerbated. Those who believe in consensus science wondered: “How can ‘those people’ not see the truth?” With a foreword by Harry Collins, this book shows that the crisis is not a "scientific" controversy, but an ideological dispute with "believers" on both sides. If the advocates for consensus science acknowledge the uncertainties involved, rather than insisting on cold, hard facts, it is possible to open a pathway towards interaction and communication, even persuasion, between world views. As the crisis of expertise continues to be a global issue, this will be an invaluable resource for readers concerned about polarized societies and the distrust of consensus science.
Table of ContentsForeword - Harry Collins 1. Introduction 2. What caused, and how do we fix, our crisis of expertise? 3. Worldviews as "religious" frameworks 4. The quasi-religious aspect of the crisis of expertise 5. Belief as a form of expertise 6. Communicating across worldviews 7. Conclusion
