I suspect people turn to scientists for their thoughts because they're the last generally respected remnants of an intellectual class.
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They don't necessarily (in fact, as you say, they almost by definition *don't*) know everything, but at least they know *something*.
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I am not angry at people who look for guidance in specific areas, but scientists claiming to be moral authorities can fuck right off.
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Yeah, I'd say so. But that's predicated on ethical and moral work, not on developing theorems for (generally) the military or corporations.
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TBH, I'm going to be reflexively cautious about anyone who claims authority, rather than providing cogent moral ideas.
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I don't listen to everything a doctor says just because they are a medical authority, either... need reasons.
Same for any other field.
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Yeah, I think that's the proven with NdGT etc - there's at least an implied "because science" tagged on what he says.
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I wouldn't waltz into a lab or emergency room to tell them what to do, but when the cigarette-smoking doctor tells me to eat this or that...
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To be fair, in that case they are sticking to their field and the parameters are fairly clearly set. Most people probably benefit.
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Do they? We have a huge mental health epidemic b/c doctors get paid by big pharma to push psychiatric drugs for every problem...
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I think the majority work with the tools they have, often get it wrong but usually help people.
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I'm sure there's corruption in some places and maybe I'm just super lucky to have the NHS, but I think doctors help on average.
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