ABSTRACT

"Being well-informed about science is not the same thing as understanding science." The advancement of science is a social process, a public process, and yet an intensely private one. Societies that would enjoy its material benefits must understand science in both its aspects. The remarkable fact, established by the open public record of science, is that this social process functions with high efficiency. Happily, the social process of science brings along the means to realize its values. Science has been liberating increasing numbers of mankind from toil and want and even from submission to received authority. In the private process, the scientist must face the singular loneliness of the sovereign. The remarkable fact, established by the open public record of science, is that this social process functions with high efficiency. The reason, openness, tolerance, and respect for the autonomy of the individual that distinguish the social process of science, however, are norms desirable in every human community.