What is wrong with Scientific Research?
Many many things! Dr. Sabine Hossenfelder's experience highlights the problems. And I have some solutions. Lets dive in!
Modern Scientific Research
Charles II founded the Royal Society, giving legitimacy to the scientific explorations of a group called “Invisible College”. The Royal Society laid the foundations of modern Scientific Research.
As is with any scientific undertaking, there were many trials and errors. Scientists’ experimented in weird phenomenon including alchemy and black magic. However, over time the principles of scientific research crystallised. The scientific research became progressively more rigiourous after World War II.
There were heinous blots on scientific ethos.
For example black Americans were used as test subjects (1938-1972) to determine what happens if Syphilis is left untreated.
After 1970s though, the scientific research discovered new ways to pimp its services to industry lobbies. It started with Tobacco and alcohol. Quickly it went to health foods and consumer chemicals. Finally pharma companies too caught up with these new business practices. Scientific research has gone to hell in a handbasket.
It is tragic that Scientific Research has compromised its ethics and principles to this degree. But this is just the symptom.
The real reasons run deep.
At the very core are the administration-heavy research institutes whose sole focus is to create money flows to ensure its own survival. It is a natural outcome of institutionalisation of research. I have discussed this issue in my 2010 book Subverting Capitalism and Democracy that once you get firms into the picture the first objective of the firm becomes self-preservation and other objectives, for which the firm was actually created, take a back seat. But do not take my word for it.
Here is Dr. Sabine Hossenfelder, physicist and YouTuber explaining the issue through her personal experience.
But there is a Solution!
I think there is merit in moving Scientific Research to a location where there is no conflict of interest with those holding the money purses. It was possible to do so in an Dharmic ecosystem through Mandirs. I have laid out the detailed hypothesis in this post.
In a nutshell, most of the professions that involve conflict of interest are housed within the Mandir and run with lifetime tenure and no personal asset accumulation on the part of those serving the Mandir Institution.
This is not possible “faith systems” but remains in the domain of “seeking systems” such as Sanatan Dharma. Faith Systems, by definition, are blind to study what they “believe” to be true.
In Sum
We Indians need to undertake serious research in terms of real social structures. We need to design these structures in such a manner that there is no opportunity for conflict of interests and that true purpose of scientific discovery is maintained.
Till then all we can apply are bandaids to cancereous developments within Scientific Research itself.
“Once you get firms into the picture the first objective of the firm becomes self-preservation and other objectives, for which the firm was actually created, take a back seat.”
Interesting piece. Thanks Rahul.