[asa] Science and the Public Good was Re: World sets ocean temperature record

On Fri, Aug 21, 2009 at 7:18 PM, Schwarzwald <schwarzwald@gmail.com> wrote:

> For that matter, there's no way to have a "non-political and non-partisan
> use of science for the public good", precisely because just what the "public
> good" is is something bitterly argued about on all sides.

I don't dispute that this accurately describes our present situation but
again as a Christian I vigorously disagree that this ought to be the case.
It is the perfect illustration of how political polarization has poisoned
science. As an organization the ASA is dedicated to the use of our
scientific understanding for the public good. What is the public good? Jesus
would have answered what is the best for my neighbor. To be sure, how we
achieve the best for my neighbor is the warp and woof of political debate
and is generally what is off limits here due the diversity of said political
opinions of our members. What is beyond controversial is we should be
preserving the life and health of my neighbor just as the Good Samaritan
did. Again, how we finance that is a matter of political debate and thus
controversial. That we are responsible for our neighbor -- at least for all
Christians -- is not. At least it shouldn't be.

Rich Blinne
Member ASA

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Received on Fri Aug 21 22:30:20 2009