Making sense of science in the 21st century: An opinion piece

Published on November 20th, 2024

 " Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.”

(Carl Sagan - Broca’s Brain: Reflections on The Romance of Science (1979, 1986)) 

Carl Sagan’s statements highlight that science offers important tools for achieving knowledge. These tools help us to understand individual and collective interactions between humans and their environment. However, in the 21st century, globalization has not only diminished the distance between communities but has also amplified the consequences of their actions. 

As a result of this transformation, competition over resources, interests, and meaning has also become global, as have the challenges we face today, ranging from climate change to economic inequality. Addressing these shared challenges requires global collaboration and cooperation. In this context, science serves as the most robust framework for fostering a shared understanding of the challenges of our time across boundaries. 

Making sense of science today requires not only a grasp of fundamental principles but also the ability to critically navigate uncertainty and complexity. Today’s challenges introduce significant diversity across key dimensions of human existence, including history, culture, politics, societies and economics. Furthermore, there is considerable diversity among scientific sub-communities regarding how we know what we know and how to design actionable solutions. The social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and medical fields are acculturated into science in widely varying ways, often complicating communication and collaboration. Yet, most challenges we face inherently require collaboration. 

More fundamentally, let’s not forget the “hard problem,” which is more widely debated within and beyond the scientific community, not least due to rise of artificial intelligence. As we still speculate about the nature of human consciousness and subjectivity, knowledge remains insufficient for answering the most fundamental questions about life. 

For those reasons, science needs to adapt approaches to engage and interact with multiple sources and forms of knowledge and insights. At the same time, this must be complimented by larger, more accurate and timely data, collected using verifiable and open methods. Inclusivity, understanding, and respect are essential for moving forward. 

However, increasing specialization in science creates barriers to inclusivity and understanding, particularly in policy and decision-making. Breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, genomics, and climate science  exacerbates this issue, as compartmentalization makes it harder for non-experts to grasp these advances. Additionally, the technical language of science hampers effective communication, leaving the public struggling to engage. This gap between experts and non-experts often leads to misconceptions and mistrust about science, especially in politically charged areas like vaccines, decarbonization, and artificial intelligence. 

These challenges in developing consensus necessitate approaches that bridge knowledge gaps. First, it is crucial to acknowledge diverse perspectives through inclusive and communicative processes that engage stakeholders. Secondly, fostering trust and encouraging participation is essential by employing approaches that facilitate the co-design of scientific inquiries and effective solutions. This will lead to more equitable outcomes and create opportunities for systematic knowledge exchange, helping to rebuild trust in the scientific process. 

Why is such an inclusive and collaborative approach to science important? Because its radid adavement risks outpacing our collective ability to fully grasp its ethical and social implications. Generative AI and advances in genomics hold great potential, but they also raise fundamental questions about morality, equity, and governance. The challenge lies not only in understanding the science but also in grappling with the broader impact on humanity. 

Science has transformed humanity, driving the transition from an agricultural to an industrial society and now playing a crucial role in addressing large-scale issues in the information age. As we adapt to digital technologies, we must ensure robust data infrastructure, cybersecurity, and talent development. Improving scientific literacy is essential; education systems should not only impart scientific knowledge but also cultivate critical thinking skills. This empowers individuals to assess evidence and recognize the world as a complex interplay of ideas and interests, equipping them to develop accepted and sustainable solutions. 

As the world's leading international research institution of Big Data for the 2030 Agenda, the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS) is committed to providing the United Nations and global stakeholders with accurate Big Earth Data, reliable methodologies and analysis, and independent validation. By forging multistakeholder partnerships, CBAS helps to address the enormous challenges society faces today.  

CBAS aims to establish models that serve as benchmarks for multistakeholder engagement and the integration of social and digital sciences. By deepening the public's understanding of scientific research, CBAS seeks to accelerate global efforts towards sustainable development and contribute to the implementation of the SDGs. Restoring public trust in science is crucial: With renewed confidence, scientific achievements can have a greater impact, demonstrating the effective integration of scientific advice and policy in addressing global challenges. 

 “Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. 

Imagination encircles the world.”

(Albert Einstein In Saturday Evening Post 26 October 1929) 

Copyright: © 2024 [author(s)]. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in Frontiers Policy Labs is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.