Dogmatism in Science and Medicine

The nature of scientific activity has changed dramatically over the last half century, and the objectivity and rigorous search for evidence that once defined it are being abandoned. Increasingly, this text argues, dogma has taken the place of authentic science.
This study examines how conflicts of interest—both institutional and individual—have become pervasive in the science world, and also explores the troubling state of research funding and flaws of the peer-review process. It looks in depth at the dominance of several specific theories, including the Big Bang cosmology, human-caused global warming, HIV as a cause of AIDS, and the efficacy of anti-depressant drugs. In a scientific environment where distinguished experts who hold contrary views are shunned, this book is an important contribution to the examination of scientific heterodoxies.

Henry H. Bauer is professor emeritus of chemistry and science studies and dean emeritus of arts and sciences at Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech). The author of numerous books, including several that examine scientific heterodoxies, he lives in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Henry H. Bauer
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 301
Bibliographic Info: 11 figures, 5 tables, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2012
pISBN: 978-0-7864-6301-5
eISBN: 978-0-7864-8574-1
Imprint: McFarland

List of Figures      vi

List of Tables      vii

Preface      1

Introduction      5

1. Three Prominent Knowledge Monopolies and Research Cartels      13

2. Common Features of Knowledge Monopolies      30

3. A Public Act of Censorship: Elsevier and Medical Hypotheses      74

4. More Cartels and Hegemonies      92

5. Knowledge Monopolies as a New Phenomenon in Science      120

6. How Science Became Reliable, and Why It No Longer Is      140

7. Public Knowledge About Science      168

8. Official Reports Are Not Scientific Publications      196

9. 21st-Century Science: Post-Modern, with Knowledge Monopolies      214

10. Consequences      227

11. Can 21st-Century Science Become Trustworthy Again?      243

Bibliography      265

Index      284

“Recommended”—Choice; “a most worthwhile book…well-researched”—Social Epistemology Review and Reply Collective; “explores how heterodox ideas are suppressed or ignored by professionals claiming to be open minded and objective”—Reference & Research Book News.