Why Scientists Should No Longer Concede Top Political Leadership Positions To Non-Scientists.
Powerful Lessons of COVID-19 Regarding Participation In Politics.
You’ve heard of the phrase: “Do As I Say, Not As I do”.
John Selden (1584 –1654), in his book “Table Talk,” written in 1654 and published posthumously in 1689 transplanted the phrase from the ecclesiastical realm to the secular world.
“Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples saying “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.” Matthew 23: 1–3; (King James Version).
John Selden was a scholarly English jurist and polymath. He would probably never have imagined that national leaders at the highest level would abide by the phrase, “Do As I Say, Not As I do” to the last dot. Certainly not in time of war against a lethal invisible global foe like SARS-CoV-2.
In the above photo, a decent, highly educated world leader, the Vice President of the United States of America sends the wrong message to the people. The negative optics are also obvious.
But even more startling is the fact that the Vice President’s defiance of scientific facts is playing out in an institution — a medical center— involved in the fight against a killer virus.
This is another lesson for humankind, calling for fortification of its toolbox for fighting future epidemics and pandemics.
Nations should consider augmenting their ‘political toolboxes’ at the highest levels with top scientists. These scientists would be needed for political authority to influence decisions by words and by deed in their society.
In order to successfully tackle the challenges of the 21st century, a heavy dose of scientific knowledge, a different type and scope of thinking are required from the leaders at the top.
In addition, parents should encourage their children to enjoy “STEM” — Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, — and embrace public service.
“The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them”. ( Albert Einstein).
More than any other period in human history, the 21st century will require a significant amount of available and understandable scientific information for the masses.
The economic, health and social conditions of the populations in most, and pobably all nations will be heavily influenced by science.
Technology will permeate virtually all facets of life. Air pollution, environmental degradation and global warming are realities that must be understood on a wider scale.
Here are 5 Reasons Why Scientists Should No Longer Surrender Top Political Leadership Positions In Their Nations To Non-Scientists.
These reasons have been chosen because each one represents a deeply embedded quality in the very nature of scientific inquiry.
1. A tamed fear of the unknown.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, member of the USA White House Coronavirus Task Force and the other scientists on the team battled HIV in the early 1980s. They are seasoned warriors against unknown global virulent pathogens.
They have a mature, tamed fear of the lethal SARS-CoV-2. Their fears have turned out to be well founded.
Unlike the casual pronouncements of the most powerful voice on the planet who makes COVID-19 sound like a minor nuisance, the scientists know that this novel Coronavirus infection in the USA cannot, and will not be wished away.
A scientifically tuned mind would have aversion to the following pronoucements regarding COVID-19 spread in the USA:
(a) On Feb. 10, 2020. “Looks like by April, you know, in theory, when it gets a little warmer, it miraculously goes away.”
(b) On February 26, 2020: “You have 15 people, and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero.”
( c). On February 27, 2020: “It’s going to disappear. One day — it’s like a miracle — it will disappear.”
2. True messaging.
At the core of scientific inquiry is not just the pursuit of truth, but the delivery of truthful information to the public.
Unlike some politicians who can be rehabilitated even after compiling a life long list of blatant untruths, the scientist is ‘toast’ if his or her data and pronouncements are proved false and misleading over and over again.
The scientist, like any notable leader in any arena is fully cognizant of the value and preciousness of “Credibility” and would loathe to squander it.
3. Knowledge of natural phenomena.
Galileo Galilei (1564–1642), the great Italian astronomer, mathematician, physicist and philosopher stated: “The Book of Nature is written in the language of mathematics”. Very true indeed.
Data — a compilation of the contents of the Book of Nature — is crucial especially when we are dealing with life and death large scale unexpected events. The leadership in these situations must not be found wanting in the appreciation of this “science”.
4. Powerful antidote to extreme political ideologies.
By staying true to the ethos of scientific training and research, most scientists are less likely to be drawn into the extremes of political ideologies. A balanced view of the facts revealed by the data and fidelity to the human elements are more likely to prevail in their minds.
5. Patience and Perseverance.
Without much patience and perseverance, it is impossible to succeed as a scientist. These two qualities are particularly vital for success in laboratory research. A scientist with initial training and carreer in basic research who transitions to politics will bring these qualities to bear on his or her decisions in critical situations.
Do Scientists always get it right?
Of course not. Afterall they are human. However, more often than not, when they see the light, they make the U-turn for correction. Case in point, the Coronavirus pandemic response in the United Kingdom.
Reports indicate that at a meeting on Friday, February 21, 2020, a UK government advisory committee of scientists found “no objections” to keeping the risk level to the country at “moderate.”
After seeing “the writing on the wall”, The UK later went into national lockdown. The prime minister himself went into quarantine after contracting COVID-19, was later hospitalized and has now recovered.
The good news for the UK is that the prime minister deferred, and continues to defer to the scientists as far as we know.
The Health of Nations Versus The Wealth of Nations?
Adam Smith (1723–1790) was a Scottish economist, philosopher and a pioneer of political economy. His monumental work, “An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations” published in 1776 has informed scholars and influenced generations of national economies.
COVID-19 has plunged mankind into totally uncharted waters as world leaders struggle to find the right balance between the health and the wealth of their nations.
What the Coronavirus pandemic has taught us is that without a blissful Health of Nation, there can be no vibrant Wealth of Nation.
Finding the right balance is a big challenge for world leaders during this Coronavirus pandemic. It will most likely be a recurring theme in the future, given the challenges ahead of us.
Both the health and the wealth of a nation are needed for its prosperity. That is why in the 21st century, leadership at the very top in every land, as much as possible, should consist of people who are grounded in the underpinnings of science.
