A new book, “The War on Science: Thirty-Nine Renowned Scientists and Scholars Speak Out About Current Threats to Free Speech, Open Inquiry, and the Scientific Process,” is raising alarms about ideological constraints on scientific research in Western societies. Published by Post Hill Press and edited by Lawrence M. Krauss, the book features a collection of essays from prominent researchers across various disciplines, detailing what they perceive as an ongoing assault on scientific objectivity and freedom of expression.
The book is divided into sections addressing crucial issues such as freedom of speech, victimhood, ideology, the ideological corruption of academic disciplines, cancel culture, the impact of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, and the intersection of gender, race, ideology, and science. Ultimately, the authors explore what can be done to combat these perceived threats.
The core argument presented is that science and research are increasingly under siege within Western institutions. From attacks on merit-based hiring to the policing of language and the replacement of established research with ideological agendas, the contributors argue that the very foundations of scientific inquiry are being undermined. They contend that a climate of fear has taken root, silencing dissenting voices and stifling open debate within academia.
Many who have challenged this perceived threat have reportedly lost their positions, creating an environment of self-censorship that strikes at the heart of modern education and scientific research. The book serves as a collective outcry from scholars who feel compelled to speak out against what they see as a dangerous trend.
The essays highlight concerns about the erosion of free and open exchange of ideas, arguing that universities and scientific institutions in the West can no longer be taken for granted as spaces that foster unfettered scientific progress. Faculty members, even those with tenure, have allegedly faced job losses or censorship for their speech or writings, and students are said to fear asking questions in class, sometimes even encouraged by their universities to report language they find offensive.
The book’s contributors criticize the proliferation of large university bureaucracies, often operating under the banner of diversity, equity, and inclusion, which they claim are unaccountable and monitor behavior and language. They argue that even posing questions about differences between groups is often prohibited. This chilling effect, they suggest, is detrimental to the pursuit of truth and the advancement of knowledge. The book aims to spark a broader conversation about the importance of protecting academic freedom and ensuring that scientific inquiry remains free from ideological interference. The keywords that are most important for this topic include: science, free speech, academic freedom, ideology, cancel culture, research, universities, and DEI.
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