Social Policy
5.9
How Big Science Gets Hijacked: A Cosmology Lesson for Today
A historical analysis of early 20th-century cosmology reveals how fundamental scientific discoveries—seemingly far removed from politics—can be rapidly repurposed to serve political agendas. The finding warns policymakers and research funders that all science, regardless of intent, carries real-time risks of weaponization.
Originaltitel: Cosmology and empire
Abstrakt
<p>What is the link between the discovery of the relativistic expanding Universe and British imperialism? A public panel debate in the early days of relativistic cosmology shows how fundamental scientific research, whether there are obvious political stakeholders (like biosecurity and climate) or not, runs real-time risks of being repurposed for political ends.</p>