Lecture

Science vs. Politics: A Post-Election Look at the Political Climate for Science

Recent years have seen growing concerns and accusations about "anti-science" tendencies in U.S. politics. Books and articles criticize political parties and ideological factions for hostility or ignorance regarding scientific evidence and institutions. Tensions between science and the right are evident over climate change, evolution, and embryonic stem cell research, among other issues. Charges that Republicans and conservatives are broadly anti-science have brought countercharges that Democrats and the left are antithetical to science on issues including genetically modified foods, vaccines, and nuclear energy.

Kenneth Silber, a political writer and columnist, will provide an opinionated analysis focused on such questions as:

Is one political side more anti-science? How has the political climate for science evolved over time? What’s the outlook? Silber is senior editor of Research, a magazine for financial advisors, where he writes a political column. His writing, often on science-related issues, has appeared in publications including Skeptical Inquirer, Scientific American Mind, Mental Floss, Reason, Commentary, the Weekly Standard, ScientificAmerican.com, Space.com, DailyBeast.com, and FrumForum.com. Silber’s blog is at quicksilber.blogspot.com (http://quicksilber.blogspot.com/).