Science is facing a crisis where new tools and data may not answer fundamental questions, potentially leading to a new Scientific Revolution.
(Generated with the help of GPT-4)
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Report location: | source |
| Language: | English |
| Publisher: | Institute for the Future |
| Authors: | Jerry Ravetz, Alex Soojung-kim Pang, Institute For The Future |
| Geographic focus: | Global |
The research method involved analyzing historical patterns, current scientific practices, and technological advancements, as well as conducting interviews with experts in the field.
(Generated with the help of GPT-4)
The report discusses a potential crisis in science, where despite technological advancements and an abundance of data, there remains a growing uncertainty about science's ability to answer fundamental questions. Historical parallels are drawn with the period before the Scientific Revolution, where technological progress preceded scientific understanding. Today, tools like evolutionary design and emergence are producing results without clear explanations, and fields like high-energy physics are generating data at a rate that outpaces the development of theories like string theory. This mismatch between technical success and scientific understanding may not signal the end of science but could lead to a new era of “post-normal science,” where the relationship between science, technology, and society undergoes profound change. The report suggests that we may need to rethink the role of science and embrace the uncertainties and complexities of natural systems and human values.
(Generated with the help of GPT-4)