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by TomSawyer 3276 days ago
Since when does science require public belief to sustain itself?
2 comments

Since public belief drives public policy, which is a substantial factor in science funding, and, ultimately, can also impose limits on performing or publishing research, either explicitly or indirectly by imposing penalties for publishing material damaging to industry.
Science does not. The institution of public policy based on the results of that science might.
Which is exactly what should be happening! Imagine that the situation was reversed and that the scientific community at large concluded that humans weren't the cause of climate change. Wouldn't you like it if public policy changed after this group published their findings?