Jack Ciciarelli – 2/13/07

This page was last updated on February 13, 2007.

Do not fear science; Jack Ciciarelli; Beaver County Times; February 13, 2007.

An editor’s note alleges, “the writer is a retired Penn State geologist.”

Below is a detailed critique of the letter.

“As a scientist, I take umbrage with the recent spate of letter writers who have been bashing researchers and scientists as heathen, godless individuals.

“I refer in particular to letters criticizing those who recently released their findings regarding global warming. Over the years, other hot button topics such as evolution, the efficacy of space exploration, pollution, descriptions of new fossil finds, etc., have all elicited the same reaction.

“Whether one is a member of one of the myriad of Islamic, Christian or Jewish sects or a Buddhist, Hindu, agnostic or atheist doesn’t matter one iota. At their daily work in the laboratory or out in the field, scientists are only concerned with facts and data that can be observed, measured, calculated, replicated and tested.”

[RWC] This may be how Mr. Ciciarelli conducts himself, but it’s inaccurate to assert this is true for everyone. Unfortunately, far too many people in technical fields don’t check their economic, political, social, religious, et cetera beliefs at the door. Scientists are like the rest of us and have the same personal failings.

“Their milieu is not that of faith. Moreover, when an individual dons a white lab coat, he/she does not necessarily renounce or abdicate a belief in a higher power.

“Do not fear science. Scientific discoveries do not in anyway diminish or take away from one’s respect for a deity. Our appreciation, understanding and awe of the divinity, whoever or whatever you personally believe him/her/it to be, is constantly deepened, honed and clarified with each discovery.

“It wasn’t that long ago in human history that dragons ate the sun during solar eclipses and we tossed young virgins into volcanoes to appease the fire gods. So welcome the discovery of new knowledge.

“In the final analysis, there can be no contradiction of truths. Science and faith walk different but parallel paths that have yet to merge.”

[RWC] Yes, there can be a “contradiction of truths.” Individual test results routinely lead to contradictory conclusions. That’s why it’s important to wait for all results to be in before drawing conclusions.