Clear Quote by Noam Chomsky
“One contribution scientists can and should make is to be clear and explicit about the limits of scientific understanding, a matter that is particularly important in societies where people are trained to defer to alleged experts.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Lecture on Science and Society, 2015
Scientists should openly state what they know and what they don’t, especially where public trust in expertise is high.
In simple terms: Be clear about what science can’t explain.
Key Takeaway
Communicate limits honestly.
Themes
science
communication
trust
Mood
critical
inquisitive
Type
educational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- education
- media reporting
Key Concepts
epistemic humility
public discourse
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we improve public understanding of scientific uncertainty?
- When should experts stay silent?
A Different Perspective
Complex issues may still be oversimplified despite transparency.
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