Why does it seem that americans don't trust scientists?

Question

I have my own beliefs on this topic but I am curious about other people's opinion. It seems that in the US people seem to think that science is a more subjective field similar to pyschology or philosophy. I know the scientists themselves feel very differently about this, but why is this the case?

the new york times released a poll last week that showed that less than 505 of americans believe that man evolved without the help of a supernatural being. the only country with less people who believed this out of 50 was turkey. In some europeans countries, over 80% of the population believed that man evolved from natural causes. Many people also dont belive in global warming even though the scientific consensus is that global warming due to human interference does exist. We also have people in this country who belive in all kinds of myths from vitmin megadoses to astrology, all things science have proven false.

sorry that should be 50%

joe_the_rod21: scientists are not beginning to reject darwins theories. Darwin's theories are almost 100 years old however, and of course in that time, evolutionary theory has progressed, and some small details that darwin proposed have been changed. However, darwins ideas are still the fundamental backbone of evolution.

Answer 1

Scientists should not be given carte blanche trust (just by virtue of being scientists).

There are many dishonest scientists... and there are fields of alleged "science" that are dominated by mistaken "group think".

In some fields of alleged "science" untestable, unfalsifiable atheistic myths are being presented to the public as being science.

This makes those of us who are rational and intelligent (whether laypersons or scientists) grow skeptical of the edifices being created in the alleged name of "science".

No offense meant.

Cordially,
John

Answer 2

Where have you been that you think people in the US don't trust scientist?? Have you ever taken a look at the scientific endeavors that come from this Country??! Give us an example, Or be more specific

Answer 3

It's not that they don't trust scientist, its just that there afraid of what the scientist are saying. Global Warming, etc, nobody wants to hear that the world will end or that people in the future will suffer a horrible death.

Answer 4

Paranoid country, constantly distrusting of everyone and under the belief that everyone wants to take their freedom "a quote used daily by Bush - They're all after our freedom" everything in america is believed to have a conspiracy theory to it, hence the reason hollywood capitalises on making movies for americans that always do have a conspiracy theory to them......

Answer 5

one thing is changing more and more. scientists are beginning to reject Darwin's theories! And many christian scientists (not the religion) are being accepted as credible.

Answer 6

Because scientists work with theories, not facts. It's all open to speculation.

Answer 7

I think your the skeptical type of person (maybe not) but americans trust scientists if it had not for the scientists america wouldnt have A-bombs or Hiroshima bombs. you get my point do you?

Answer 8

It is partially because of who they are being funded by. Some of their findings have been prov-en to be skewed in favor of whoever is funding them so that negative finding are not published

Answer 9

I believe that it's because we prefer supernatural explanations to scientific ones.