What are the main topics of this book? Write a summary of the points it discusses. (10 points) Using examples from the book, discuss some strategies of sowing doubt. (10 points) Can doubt be a commercial product, and if so how? Can an idea be bought and sold like a commodity? Use some examples from the book to justify your answer. (10 points)

QUESTION

Report of: Naomi Oreskes & Eric Conway’s “Merchants of Doubt”

Introduction:

This book was written by Naomi Oreskes and Eric Conway. It proposes the idea that “denialism” has a formulaic method, and researches this in the context of the global warming controversy, tobacco smoking, and DDT among others.

Assignment:

Read the following:

Oreskes, Naomi & Conway, Erik (2010). Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues From Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming. New York: Bloomsbury Press, 2010.

Write a report of this book. Be sure to include:

What are the main topics of this book? Write a summary of the points it discusses. (10 points)
Using examples from the book, discuss some strategies of sowing doubt. (10 points)
Can doubt be a commercial product, and if so how? Can an idea be bought and sold like a commodity? Use some examples from the book to justify your answer. (10 points)
How would you critique both the roles of scientists and journalists as public communicators? How would you compare and contrast their missions? (10 points)
Imagine you are teaching science to high schoolers. What do you think is one of the most important lessons they should learn, so that they can be prepared to think critically when interpreting recent news and articles about science? Do you think it’s important to have a basic knowledge of science, and if so, what types of science are most important? (10 points)

ANSWER

Report on Naomi Oreskes & Eric Conway’s “Merchants of Doubt”

Introduction

“Merchants of Doubt” is a thought-provoking book authored by Naomi Oreskes and Eric Conway. This book explores the concept of “denialism” by examining the strategies employed by a small group of scientists to cast doubt on various scientific issues, such as global warming, tobacco smoke, and DDT. By analyzing historical case studies, the authors shed light on how doubt can be manipulated and wielded as a powerful tool to obscure scientific truths.

Main Topics

The book delves into several key topics, including

Denialism and its formulaic method: Oreskes and Conway argue that the same tactics have been employed across different scientific controversies, revealing a formulaic method to sow doubt and manufacture controversy. They examine how a small group of scientists have consistently deployed strategies to challenge scientific consensus, often in collaboration with vested interests.

Global warming controversy: The authors explore the efforts of certain scientists to undermine the consensus on human-induced climate change. They trace the roots of climate denialism to the tobacco industry’s playbook and reveal the linkages between tobacco denialism and climate change denialism.

Tobacco smoking: Oreskes and Conway examine how a small group of scientists aligned themselves with the tobacco industry to cast doubt on the health hazards of smoking. They reveal the tactics employed to create uncertainty and delay regulatory action, ultimately leading to the loss of countless lives.

DDT controversy: The authors analyze the controversy surrounding the pesticide DDT, highlighting how scientists with industry ties downplayed its detrimental effects on the environment and human health. They emphasize the importance of recognizing the manipulation of scientific evidence for economic and political gains.

Strategies of Sowing Doubt

The book presents several strategies employed to sow doubt and manufacture controversy:

Manufacture scientific uncertainty: Doubt is created by highlighting areas of scientific uncertainty and using these uncertainties to discredit overwhelming evidence and scientific consensus.

Cherry-picking data: Selectively using data that supports a desired conclusion while disregarding or downplaying contradictory evidence.

Attack the consensus: Portraying scientific consensus as an indication of a flawed or biased scientific process rather than a reflection of the weight of evidence.

Amplifying dissenting voices: Giving disproportionate attention to a small number of dissenting scientists, making it seem like there is a genuine scientific debate when the consensus is overwhelmingly one-sided.

Doubt as a Commercial Product

The book argues that doubt can indeed be a commercial product. In the case of tobacco smoking, the tobacco industry actively funded and promoted research to create doubt about the harmful effects of smoking (Readfearn, 2021). Similarly, in the context of global warming, industries with vested interests, such as fossil fuel companies, have financially supported the dissemination of doubt to protect their economic interests. Doubt is commodified and strategically sold to delay regulation and maintain profits.

Roles of Scientists and Journalists

Scientists and journalists both play crucial roles as public communicators, but they have different missions and responsibilities.

Scientists aim to uncover truths through rigorous research, peer review, and the pursuit of knowledge. Their mission is to expand scientific understanding and provide evidence-based insights to inform policy decisions and public understanding.

Journalists, on the other hand, have the responsibility to accurately and effectively communicate scientific findings to the public (American Press Institute, 2022). They should uphold journalistic integrity by presenting balanced reporting that avoids false balance, accurately reflects scientific consensus, and does not amplify manufactured doubt.

While scientists are focused on generating knowledge, journalists serve as mediators between scientific findings and the public. Both groups must prioritize transparency, avoiding conflicts of interest, and ensuring the accuracy of information presented to the public.

Importance of Critical Thinking in Science Education

In teaching science to high schoolers, one of the most important lessons they should learn is to think critically when interpreting recent news and articles about science. They should be encouraged to question sources, evaluate evidence, and distinguish between scientific consensus and manufactured doubt.

Having a basic knowledge of science is essential for critical thinking. Students should be familiar with scientific principles, the scientific method, and key concepts in various scientific disciplines. This foundation enables them to assess scientific claims, identify logical fallacies, and understand the limitations of scientific research.

By fostering scientific literacy, high school students can become informed citizens capable of analyzing complex scientific issues and making well-informed decisions (Babalola & Ogunkola, 2013). They will be better equipped to discern credible information from misinformation and recognize attempts to manipulate scientific discourse.

Conclusion

“Merchants of Doubt” presents a compelling analysis of how doubt has been strategically employed to obscure scientific truths. It exposes the tactics used to cast doubt on issues like global warming, tobacco smoke, and DDT, illustrating the consequences of manufacturing controversy. The book emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, the roles of scientists and journalists, and the need for scientific literacy to navigate the complexities of science in the modern world.

References

American Press Institute. (2022, August 24). The elements of journalism – American Press Institute. https://www.americanpressinstitute.org/journalism-essentials/what-is-journalism/elements-journalism/ 

Babalola, J., & Ogunkola, B. J. (2013). Scientific Literacy: Conceptual overview, importance and Strategies for improvement. ResearchGate. https://doi.org/10.5901/jesr.2013.v3n1p265 

Readfearn, G. (2021, August 25). Doubt over climate science is a product with an industry behind it. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/planet-oz/2015/mar/05/doubt-over-climate-science-is-a-product-with-an-industry-behind-it