Is science elitist?

Answer 1

Science is the best way that we have today to obtain rational knowledge, and I consider myself as having a scientific mind. However, science has its many social flaws. It is elitist in that it consists of a gender stratified social hierarchy and a social vs. physical knowledge hierarchy where the importance of social knowlege, which many view as "feminine," is devalued.

At the bottom of the scientist social hierarchy, are nurses, most of whom are females, and research associates, most of whom disproportionately are female. As well, physical scientists tend to look down on the social sciences, and not consider them "real" sciences. The social sciences get put down in their scientific status by those at the top of the scientist hierarchy. There are many female social scientists. Second most, the life sciences get put down. There are a good proportion of female life scientists, e.g. Biologists.

At the top, are academic physicists, engineers, and medical doctors, most of whom are male. Male scientists are the ones who tend to win the scientific awards. Physical scientists, most of whom are men and white, place themselves at the top of the scientific hierarchy, considering their science as the "real" science. There is much more that could be said about the elitist claims of physical scientists, but I will leave it at that. Women and racialized persons are normally kept out of the top of the scientist hierarchy.

As "yourpastlifelover" mentioned, formal education is necessary to be taken seriously as a scientist. I add, persons can educate themselves in science in their own time all they want and become very knowledgeable, but if they don't have the right degrees, those at the top of the scientist hierarchy will not take them seriously no matter how much the self-educated may really know.

Answer 2

"Science" = a branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws.

"Elitist" = the belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources.

Thus, by definition, no, science is not elitist. Science is a field of study.

However, some people may claim that "scientists" are part of an elite, which would be true, in light of their training and specialized knowledge. But this isn't a bad thing.

For instance, would you want an untrained surgeon to operate on you? Probably not. Nor would you want an untrained engineer to build your car.

As such, by attaining specialized knowledge, scientists, like many other professions, join an "intellectual" elite that enables them to ply their trade.

Answer 3

In so far as scientists understand things that are not generally known by non-scientists, yes by definition. However, since the knowledge they learn and study is available to ANYONE with the curiosity and willingness to learn it, no. It's not elitist at all. It's available for all. Anyone who wants to can learn what science teaches.

Answer 4

I would say so. The more education a scientist has, the more seriously his or her claims are taken. The scientific method can be learned and practiced by most people to the point where they can still sound conslusions, but the ones with less of a scientific education will almost never be taken as seriously as those who've earned those extra science credits.

Answer 5

Yes. It sets the rules for what is acceptable and not acceptable, so therefore rules all. It is self-righteous. It gives itself power to discriminate all information on the basis of having the only known ability to differentiate what is 'good' or 'bad' information. It acknowledges no faults in itself, yet states if it finds faults it is the only one who can identify them and decide if change is warrented. I don't throw out the baby with the bathwater.....science has extreme value........but not the only value......I'll decide that for myself......and because of that stance, science labels me as 'deficient' sooooooo, that would make them elitist.

Answer 6

No, ignorant people make themselves inferior to scientists. Most scientists are shy nerds or sick of people altogether, and are not looking to seem better than anyone else. It's sad the amount of times I've seen people proclaim their faith in what they think a scientist said the way they do with supposed messiahs for absolutely no reason and not even knowing what what they're saying means.

Answer 7

Define elitist?

Do you mean does it help the elite? Only elite do well at it? What do you mean?

Answer 8

Only to the extent that the irrational and illogical people make up at least 80% of the world.....

Answer 9

There is no question that it has been that way historically, but perhaps our new mass communication will disrupt that pattern and connect isolated fields of research that will allow new knowledge to evolve.