Awkward Quote by Carl Sagan
“It is the responsibility of scientists never to suppress knowledge, no matter how awkward that knowledge is, no matter how it may bother those in power; we are not smart enough to decide which pieces of knowledge are permissible, and which are not. ...”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Cosmos series, 1995
Scientists must share all knowledge, even uncomfortable, because no one can decide what is permissible.
In simple terms: Science should be open and honest.
Key Takeaway
Promote open sharing of all findings.
Themes
science
knowledge
ethics
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- research publication
- public policy
- education
- whistleblowing
Key Concepts
epistemology
responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities do scientists have to society?
- How can we balance openness with safety?
A Different Perspective
Risk of harmful misuse of knowledge.
![“You should not fool the laymen when you're talking as a scientist... . I'm talking about a specific, extra type of integrity that is not lying, but bending over backwards to show how you're maybe wrong, [an integrity] that you ought to have when acting as a scientist. And this is our…” quote by Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/754/richard-p-feynman-495_acting_you-should-not-fool-the-laymen-when-you_1898244.jpg)
![“[ When a religious couple wrote to Sagan about fulfilled prophecies, he wrote back in May 1996 :] If ‘fulfilled prophecy’ is your criterion, why do you not believe in materialistic science, which has an unparalleled record of fulfilled prophecy? Consider, for example, eclipses.” quote by Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/875/carl-sagan-160_belief_when-a-religious-couple-wrote-to-sagan-a_25095.jpg)
