Welcome DS -- Congratulations on your 1st Post of (I hope) many.
You're asking some very serious questions -- I can give only trivial answers. You can press me on this a bit more -- you might be making a good point about science being irrelevant to political issues.
DS asks: What is Conservative Ideology, I.S., in your opinion ? Do we mean the same thing, or not ??
I don't know what it is and I'm not even certain what I think it is.
It has evolved greatly over the last 100 years -- I consider myself a conservative in the 19th century tradition. Today, you'd call me a liberal.
The key elements today include for (1) smaller government (2) lower taxes.
Others would emphasize (1) abortion (2) and anti-homosexual legislation.
Whatever it is, scientists seem to reject it.
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DS refers to Robert Nozick
Excellent -- I am very pleased someone would refer to Nozick here -- but its been a long time since I read any of Nozick's stuff
Anarchy, State and Utopia, Philosophical Explanations (?) -- I still love the last chapter of that one -- A book on The Nature of Rationality that I didn't care for.
But I have no idea what Nozick did or "would have" said concerning the relationship between the political opinions of intellectuals and their estimate of the worth of capitalism ??
This might sound sarcastic but I'm entirely serious -- what do you think he would have said?
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DS perceptively asks: Is sociology more important in determining political opinions than mere possession of "scientia"??
You seem to have some understanding about these things -- I'd like to hear your opinions.
I haven't thought much on any of this. But, I tend to think that our religious and political beliefs are greatly affected or influenced by the environment in which we grow up. Are they "determined" by that environment? Surely, the probability of person born into a Christian environments becoming a Muslim is very small.
Is the sociology of knowledge one of your interests?
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DS asks: What is the relationship between scientific knowledge and political opinions ??
Your question suggests that politics is a matter of opinion. Knowledge is found in other areas. I tend to think there is some truth to this.
We tend to think of some things as being subject to objective criteria. There is little that is objective about political beliefs.
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DS asks: what fields of knowledge do these scientists occupy by percentage of political affiliation?
I suggest you follow the link provided. Here's one of the tables you'll find there:
Columbus Townhall > Forum > Politics > National > Science and Environment (Moderators: Peter, CTH Public Relations)
Topic: Science -- For or Against?
