Science, long regarded as a pillar of objective truth and discovery, is facing significant challenges. In Australia, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is poised to cut up to 350 research roles, a move described by a staff member as one of the most severe in the agency’s history. Across the Pacific, the Trump administration’s policies have led to unprecedented budget cuts for the U.S. National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, leaving many researchers without salaries and threatening global science funding, including in Australia.
This scenario is part of a broader conflict often described as a “war on science.” On one side are those who uphold science as a method of rigorous experimentation and hypothesis testing to uncover objective truths. On the other are proponents of postmodernism, who question the very foundations of evidence-based inquiry.
The War on Science: A Collection of Essays
This conflict is the central theme of The War on Science, a collection of 39 essays edited by physicist and bestselling author Lawrence Krauss. The contributors, all current or former academics from various countries, including Australia, unite to defend freedom of speech and open inquiry. The book invites readers to critically evaluate the evidence presented, challenging them to use rationality and counter-evidence to form their own conclusions.
Krauss, a polarizing figure due to past controversies, including allegations of misconduct, remains a prominent voice in the scientific community. Despite these controversies, the book emphasizes the importance of separating the evidence from the personalities involved.
Postmodernism vs. Scientific Rationality
The book argues that university and funding body policies rooted in postmodernism are restricting rational inquiry and freedom of expression. Postmodernism, a philosophical framework that views truth as subjective and relative, is seen as antithetical to the scientific pursuit of objective and knowable truths.
Each essay in the collection serves as an individual experiment, challenging readers to weigh the evidence and evaluate the authors’ methods. The essays range from cultural critiques to academic analyses, addressing topics such as identity politics and academic freedom.
Australia’s Trust in Science
Despite these challenges, public trust in science remains high in Australia. A study of 68 countries ranked Australia fifth in public trust in science, with “scientist” being one of the most trusted professions. However, Australia’s government support for research and development lags behind, with only 1.68% of GDP spent on R&D in 2024, compared to 3.5% in the U.S. and 2.8% in the UK.
The book highlights Australia’s National Medical and Health Research Council’s (NHMRC) Gender Equity Strategy as an example of policies that, according to Krauss, impose quotas and discrimination based on gender. This raises questions about the impact of such policies on scientific inquiry and freedom of expression.
Political Correctness and Science
Several essays critique the influence of political correctness on scientific discourse. Former Harvard University president Claudine Gay’s response to a controversial question about free speech is cited as an example of postmodernism’s impact on academic freedom. Similarly, the case of Soviet agronomist Trofim Lysenko illustrates the dangers of political interference in science, with his flawed theories leading to widespread crop failures.
Anthropologist Elizabeth Weiss’s essay challenges the repatriation of Indigenous artefacts, arguing that such restrictions limit anthropological research. Her language and views may be contentious, but they highlight the tension between scientific inquiry and cultural sensitivity.
The Call for Evidence-Based Debate
The book’s essays, while provocative, aim to foster a return to evidence-based debate and open inquiry. The authors argue that incorporating postmodern ideas into policy risks undermining scientific progress. They call for a renewed commitment to the principles of free speech, political neutrality, and merit-based hiring in academia.
As the book concludes, it underscores the importance of using science as a tool for self-correction and dialogue. By engaging with the book’s arguments through the lens of scientific inquiry, readers are encouraged to challenge ideas and seek truth through evidence and rational debate.
The ongoing debate over the role of postmodernism in science highlights the need for a balanced approach that respects both cultural perspectives and the pursuit of objective knowledge. As science faces external pressures and internal conflicts, the call for open inquiry and evidence-based discourse remains more critical than ever.
