The Boundaries of (Politically Correct) Science

It is obvious (and unfortunate!) that scientists seeking to expand scientific knowledge, often fail to reach beyond the boundaries of what is considered ‘scientifically, or politically correct’. To be fair, I refer only to those scientific structures that create the theoretical molds that hold all the information we know about us and everything that surrounds us-the structures that cool and stabilize the information poured into those molds-the structures that permit unquestioned one-sided presentation of so-called “knowledge” in public forums, scientific conferences, schools, etc. It is possible to challenge or even overturn the accepted theories, but only within the scope of these limiting structures.

Political correctness is sometimes beneficial, but not always. You might be considered a serious and even great scientist, if you advance scientific horizons within the limits of political correctness. However, should you dare to sail off toward uncharted and questionable waters, you’d likely be laughed out of the scientific community. Once ostracized, your dream of being accepted as great scientist-would remain just that-a dream.

Although I’m not a scientist, I’m quite aware of the way things work in science. Take medicine, for instance. Many doctors take offense at hearing their patients mention alternative medicine in the same breath as more established medical procedures. This happens even if alternative medicine is the patient’s best hope of recovery. 

There are exceptions, of course. There are numerous cases of doctors telling patients-in confidence-to seek a cure by using alternative medicine. When this happens, the doctor will stress that he is in no position to make such a recommendation-officially; as the prevailing code of conduct in medicine forbids it. His job would immediately be at risk! I actually heard a doctor say this, when I accompanied a family member to a physician’s office. This happened in Sweden, but it occurs pretty much everywhere.

The next article relates to my own very personal experiences at the boundaries of science. I draw some of my inspiration from my grandmother, who sought out alternative remedies.