>>11607177I think there's an unfair expectation placed on the scientific class in modern-day society's, both put on them by the public and themselves.
We can't all go to God anymore for truth/peace because most of us, at the very least, are skeptical of him and have been for almost two-hundred years. When they say religion is the "opiate of the masses," that's what they meant -- because so many people believed in it so willingly, religion could be used to sway public opinion and calm people down by getting them ready to die while also reminding them to do their civic duty and live well. Especially during times of crisis.
Science now has to fill that void of truth. Whether this position was forced by scientists, a natural progression of human beliefs, or simply an attempt by the masses to find a new opiate, I don't think anyone can really dispute that most people go to science for what we approximate truth to be; several hundred years ago, we would've been doing the same thing, just through religious institutions, whatever they would be for each of us and our communities.
The fact of the matter is that science is a small, small part of how we interpret the world. It's become a fantastic tool for shaping the natural world to our benefit; but it can't offer people the comfort and calm that good leadership, good spiritual sustenance, or good art can. This doesn't make it useless -- obviously, I'm talking to you all through an invention made possible by science and scientists. There are endless real-world benefits and applications to science.
