A very comprehensive and exhaustive discussion was provided by Douglas Hague in his article bearing the same title as this one. I admit I was quite absorbed by his brilliant presentation of how scientists can manage science under certain stringent conditions, i.e., “if they themselves acquire a practical understanding of the social sciences, not least, of economics and of management; or if they work in inter-disciplinary teams which include and value those who do have such knowledge.”
I for one will not argue the points Hague presented. In fact, I’m personally inclined to also answer the question positively at the outset. But on a closer look at the faces of today’s science and scientists, I’m afraid I am more drawn toward the sobering reality that many if not most of them can’t actually do it.
In medical jurisprudence parlance, we have a concept called res ipsa loquitur (“the thing speaks for itself”). It refers to an overwhelming circumstantial evidence actually present, proving a certain act of malpractice or negligence as in the case of a pair of forceps left in the abdominal cavity of a patient after a surgical procedure has already been completed and closed. Read the rest of this entry »
