The Authority of Science, Responsibility of the Scientist

The authority of science in society and public policy has been rapidly increasing, since the rise of empirical science in 17th century. Today, all over the world, even in less developed countries, the institution of science and scientists have considerable authority in shaping public policy. This has raised concerns, especially in democratic societies, over the responsibilities of science and scientists. Does this increasing authority bring new responsibilities for science or not? In this paper, after a brief review of the developments that led to the science having such authority in modern societies, we will discuss the sociological sources of authority and the distinction of theoretical and practical authority. It will be argued that only the theoretical authority of science can be legitimate, and according practical authority to science is unjustified. This theoretical authority, therefore, should not bring any new responsibility for the scientist. Because it is unfair, incompatible with democratic standards, and moreover, an obstacle in the way scientist which detains the progress of science and deviates its course.