Is it true that scientists tend to be liberal? If so, why?

Question

The conservative consensus is that things like evolution and global warming are liberal myths used to justify certain policies and beliefs. As a consequence, it seems like many conservatives tend to distrust scientists because they assume that they have a liberal agenda. I'm not sure if this is true, although I tend to believe it myself. The more interesting question would if it is true, than why do more liberals choose science as a career?

"Most science isn't very factual." This is actually answers the question as to why many conservatives distrust scientists. It's a fundamental problem in this country where people are so scientifically illiterate, they believe that the same endeavor that put a man on the moon is somehow not very "factual". it's just astounding really.

Answer 1

Scientists tend to liberal because they believe in proof of facts and not faith. They like to conduct experiments that prove everything that tell people is right rather than put their trust in things that can't hear, touch, see or taste. Conservatives tend to only believe in faith so that's why Scientists tend not to be Conservatives.

Answer 2

Where are you getting the data used to come to this conclusion? All I can say is, it takes an individual with an open mind to be a scientist and since being open minded is one of the traits of a liberal mind the two go hand in hand. The answer above that states that science is not based in fact is the most moronic thing I've ever heard! Science is COMPLETELY fact based. In order to get a scientific paper published, the writer must PROVE empirically that all the data used to form the conclusions is fact, and not speculation. As a matter of fact, science has done more to prove biblical data than disprove it, so how anyone with a 2 digit IQ could say such crap is amazing.

Answer 3

If you believe that scientists tend to be liberal then here's a possibe reason. Scientists tend to believe in the possibilities and look closely at probabilities and evidence and facts and theories. If all things are possible, then you would not believe in limits and conservatives seem to believe that most things have a finite solution. As a liberal, you would believe that there are infinite problems, infinite solutions and therefore infinite possibilities.

I don't necessarily agree with labels. You are talking about "control issues" when you are talking about "myths used to justify certain policies and beliefs". Maybe you should extend those myths to the war, the economy, your taxes etc. All these things could be resolved without so much money and control, but then without issues, how can you get attention?

Answer 4

More liberals choose science because with their "proof" of global warming, and the earth being formed millions of years ago, they believe they show the conservatives up. Most science isn't very factual. They guess about things to make it look like a professional knows the whole truth, but the fact of the matter is that all they can do is guess based on one or two "facts". Also, science goes against belief in religion because of all the Big Bang theories, so even if they consider themselves to be religious, you can tell that they just want to make something up to throw into Conservative faces.

Answer 5

Yes, because they believe in many things that oppose the scriptures. Ex: They believe that the world is millions of years old. They believe in evolution and not creation, The list goes on and on..
Liberal minds are set up to shut down any possibility that the world was created by God and people were created and not from monkees. Liberal ideas are all about change and conservative minds are all about standing firm on their beliefs and faith. New ways of doing things are not always a good thing and are allot of times self destructing.

Answer 6

The scientific method is one of accumulating data and forming hypothesis when there is sufficient data to support a conclusion,. and THEN always seeking alternative hypothesis as new data becomes available. This is NOT the doctrinaire mentality as exemplified by Dictator Dumbya who "fixed the 'facts' (making them up as needed) to the policy" or predetermined conclusion.

Answer 7

Schools and other places of learning are very liberal. Just look at the number of liberal teachers and such compared to other points of view. This stuff is public knowledge so you should be able to find it.

Many liberals pick science as a career because they want to save the world. They want to use science to fix things they see as wrong or such. And more generally, liberals like to help others.

Answer 8

Evolution and global warming are not myths. Their just more examples of how reality has a liberal bias.

Answer 9

what kind of science? I only know conservatives in hard science fields, which don't tend to be global warming, more like engineering and medical things

Answer 10

Science does tend to attract rational thinkers,people who base their conclusions on the best evidence available.

But I think you're making an assumption based on your view of the subject.

Good question,though.