by Judith Curry
When it comes to just about any topic, it seems as if the public discourse on the internet is dominated by rhetoric and propaganda. People are either selling products or ideology. In fact, just because someone may come across as calm and knowledgeable does not mean you should let your guard down and trust what they say. What you need to look for is a track record of intellectual honesty. – Mike Gene
Posted in Ethics
by Judith Curry
We’re screwed: 11,000 years’ worth of climate data prove it. It’s among the most compelling bits of proof out there that human beings are behind global warming, and as such has become a target on Mann’s back for climate denialists looking to draw a bead on scientists. — The Atlantic, March 9th
We’re not screwed. The trouble is, as they quietly admitted over the weekend, their new and stunning claim is groundless. The real story is only just emerging, and it isn’t pretty. – Ross McKitrick
Posted in Data and observations, Ethics
by Judith Curry
Posted in Ethics
by Judith Curry
So, what does the UK scandal involving horsemeat in lasagna have to do with climate change?
Posted in Communication, Ethics
by Judith Curry
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself and you are the easiest person to fool. - Richard Feynman
Posted in Ethics, Scientific method
by Judith Curry
Philosophers known as “virtue epistemologists” claim that the goods of the intellectual life—knowledge, wisdom, understanding, etc.—are more easily obtained by persons possessing mature traits of intellectual character, such as open-mindedness, teachability, and intellectual courage, than by persons who lack these virtues or who are marked by their opposing vices. - Jay Wood
Posted in Ethics
by Judith Curry
Six Italian scientists and an ex-government official have been sentenced to six years in prison over the 2009 deadly earthquake in L’Aquila. – BBC
Posted in Communication, Ethics, Uncertainty
by Judith Curry
Until recently, there was little recognition within Japan’s science policy circle of the need to discuss the role of science in government policy-making. A rather innocent notion that the established knowledge and wisdom of scientists would ensure proper decision-making was prevalent. - Arimoto and Sato
Posted in Ethics, Policy, Sociology of science
by Judith Curry
The notion that a scientist is either an advocate or does nothing at all to shape policy is a false dichotomy that has muddied the debate about science and advocacy. – Scott and Rachlow
by Judith Curry
By advocating social policy positions, scientists may be forfeiting their credibility, instead becoming just ordinary folks with opinions. – Greg Breining
by Judith Curry
We need bold science and bold action. There is a vital role for governments to play, but equally importantly is the role of academia, civil society, and industry. Harnessing that collective commitment is underway – but it remains to be seen if changes will be rapid and substantial enough. Her Excellency noted in her powerful opening remarks that there is a significant gap between the accelerating pace of degradation and the rate of effective response.
Each of you here can influence the rate of response by activating your science. - Jane Lubchenco, NOAA Administrator
by Judith Curry
I’ve just been informed that WIREs Climate Change invited two articles on this topic, and also editorial commentary.
Posted in Ethics
by Judith Curry
But when evaluating climategate, a variety of responses is seen, ranging from the apologetic to the highly critical. It is argued that reluctance to critically examine the climategate affair, including suspect practices of scientists, has to do with the nature of the debate which is highly politicized. A call is made for more reflection on this case which should not be closed off because of political expediency.
Posted in Ethics
by Judith Curry
Converging evidence from the behavioural and brain sciences suggests that the human moral judgement system is not well equipped to identify climate change – a complex, large-scale and unintentionally caused phenomenon — as an important moral imperative.
Posted in Ethics
by Judith Curry
In principle, yes of course. In practice, many journalists, scientists and government officials are not so certain as to how to balance telling the whole truth and being truthful in an “effective” way.
Posted in Communication, Ethics
by Judith Curry
The enduring question re Peter Gleick is how to reconcile his apparent commitment to the integrity of science with his behavior in the Heartland affair.
Posted in Ethics
by Judith Curry
How can we reconcile Gleick’s possibly criminal behavior with his essays and testimony on scientific integrity?
Posted in Ethics
Posted in Ethics
by Judith Curry
The motto of the Royal Society is:
Nullius in verba: on the word of no one
“…it is an established rule of the Society, to which they will always adhere, never to give their opinion as a Body upon any subject either of Nature or Art, that comes before them.”
The ‘advertisement’ to The Philosophical Transactions, 1753.
Andrew Montford’s new report provides a lucid account of the transformation of the UK Royal Society.
Posted in Ethics
by Judith Curry
Here is the content of my presentation to the UN InterAcademy Council Project on Research Integrity and Scientific Responsibility.
Posted in Ethics
by Judith Curry
Earlier today via email, I received the following list of questions on research integrity and scientific responsibility.
Posted in Ethics
by Judith Curry
Two years ago on Thanksgiving, I was working on my Climategate essay An open letter to graduate students and young scientists in fields related to climate research. It was a topic of family discussion, and my 4 nieces and nephews (high school and college age) were all discussing and commenting on my essay. I was also involved in extensive e-discussions with Joe Rom and Andy Revkin, who were hosting my letter on their blogs.
Posted in Ethics
by Judith Curry
I have been pondering how to best teach research ethics to incoming graduate students and to meet the new NSF guidelines. While googling around, I found an interesting document from the Department of Meteorology at Penn State.
Posted in Ethics
by Judith Curry
Barry Woods highlights a twitter exchange about my hosting a guest post, where I am accused of purveying disinformation:
@ Richard Tol: Its wrong, but with @JudithCurry lending her authority it becomes disinformation
with Keith Kloor forwarding the following Tweet:
@KeithKloor: @Richard Tol says to @JudithCurry: “I think you have done a disservice by lending your credibility to these two papers.”
Posted in Communication, Ethics
by Ken Wilson
It’s not been a good year for the environment or for evangelicalism. I received an especially pained email from Carl Safina, our church’s “adopted scientist.” Carl and I, secular scientist and evangelical pastor, have worked together to bridge the historic divide between our respective communities. But my team isn’t making that easy lately. Case in point: Carl bemoaned the fact that prominent evangelical presidential candidates are anti-science; Governor Perry of Texas, for example, denies climate change while calling constituents to pray for rain in a time of drought (a predicted effect of climate change.)
Posted in Ethics
