Trust me, I'm a Scientist (Birthday Counterpoints) Book

Why should we trust scientists? Is there something about them, or the way their minds are trained to work, that makes them inherently trustworthy? What happens to trust when scientists are seduced by politics, religion, money or glory? Public trust in scientists may be waning - is this simply a longterm shift in public consciousness like the growing distrust of lawyers and journalists and naïve confidence in television stars? Or does it tell us something important about our societies and our world - that the rationalism of the Enlightenment is on the wane? This collection of essays is one of ten celebrating the British Council's 70th anniversary by examining some of the most critical issues for the future of cultural relations. A wide range of thinkers provides provocative and stimulating visions of the power and importance of cultural relations in the 21st century. They don't look for agreement; their aim, and ours, is to encourage debate and cut new channels for dialogue.Read More