Science and Risk: Scientific Authority at Risk

Abstract

In 1755, when an earthquake killed half of the population of Lisbon, there was a huge debate in Europe: was such a disaster a punishment from heaven? Or was it a natural phenomenon, for which scientific explanations had to be found? This event was the beginning of a new era, in which science was seen as the only way to protect people from risk stemming from nature, which was regarded as bad. Scientific developments liberated humankind from old frights, so that the future was no longer considered with fear but rather with hope. Yet, at the beginning of the new century, the situation is largely reversed: while nature is generally seen as good, optimism about science is tempered by a growing awareness of risk. Though the fruits of science are more numerous than expected, they have a bitter taste. The progress of knowledge has given birth to new threats, and what is behind the counter might be even worse than what is already in the window. Thus, hope has been progressively replaced by a diffuse anxiety.