Are science and religion doomed to eternal "warfare," or can they just get along? Philosophers, theologians, scientists, and atheists debate this subject endlessly (and often, angrily). We hear a lot less from economists on the matter, however. But in a recent paper, Princeton economist Roland Bénabou and two colleagues unveiled a surprising finding that would at least appear to bolster the "conflict" camp: Both across countries and also across US states, higher levels of religiosity are related to lower levels of scientific innovation.
"Places with higher levels of religiosity have lower rates of scientific and technical innovation, as measured by patents per capita," comments Bénabou. He adds that the pattern persists "when controlling for differences in income per capita, population, and rates of higher education."
That's the most salient finding from the paper by Bénabou and his colleagues, which uses an economic model to explore how scientific innovation, religiosity, and the power of the state interact to form different "regimes." The three kinds of regimes that they identify: a secular, European-style regime in which religion has very little policy influence and science garners great support; a repressive, theocratic regime in which the state and religion merge to suppress science; and a more intermediate, American-style regime in which religion and science both thrive, with the state supporting science and religions (mostly) trying to accommodate themselves to its findings.
I think as Americans we should be shocked to see ourselves so low on the innovation spectrum.
And I believe this is the direct result of the attacks on our teachers by the conservatives and the challenges to science by fundamentalists.
After all why attempt to solve problems with technology or medical breakthroughs if you are taught that faith and prayer will provide the answers that we seek?
Period.
China.... hirey innovative? Me no tink so.
ReplyDeleteOnce upon a time I went to Catholic school where science was a regular part of the curriculum. I was even taught about evolution and the Big Bang theory. Of course God was credited with being behind them, but still. I was given the tools to think for myself and ended up being a heathen. So thanks, Catholic school.
ReplyDeletelol I don't understand why anyone would work in DC or politics higher than a city level.
ReplyDeleteNo loyalty, all selfishness, millions of lying backstabbing aides desperate to save their careerss/jobs
It sucks that the media has no priorities, which will ensure no QUALIFIED people ever run for office. And we will always be stuck with unaccomplished, inarticulate numbskulls like Obama, Biden, Bush
anon@10:19 Please read reply to anon@9:49.
DeleteVietnam is above us? Vietnam??? We have got to get our public schools back to completely secular. If you want your kids to get a religious education send them to a religious school. I don't want my tax dollars going to fund any religion in public schools.
ReplyDeleteVietnam is not above us. The general premise of the study is ok, but it is a hack study nontheless.
DeleteThe decline in American innovation as depicted by patents per capita is fueled more by federal cuts to scientific spending and corporate cost-cutting than it is due to educational shortcomings. When Newt Gingrich became Speaker of the House, he began slashing federal spending on science, in order to placate the religious fundamentalists as much as to cut budgets. George W. continued and deepened the assault, and the ill-conceived sequester of recent years seriously damaged our ability to innovate in this country. American corporations slashed their research budgets because, you know, those cut into the $$$ going to stockholders. Decades of letting MBA's make decisions has destroyed what was once something that made the U.S. exceptional. Between Republican pandering to the fundamentalists, and corporate greed, we've screwed ourselves scientifically.
ReplyDeleteI have been reading the list of middle school students who are semifinalists in the national science competition. The three top states represented are: California with 71, Florida with 31, Texas with 22.
ReplyDeleteAt a closer look, it become obvious a substantial number of students have names that place their origins in India, Pakistan, Japan, China or other countries in Asia and the Middle East.
To those (mostly White, fundamentalist Christian Americans) who are so convinced of their superiority and worried about becoming a minority - you're right. You are becoming the uneducated, stupid minority and the rest of us of all races, nationalities, and beliefs, can only hope it's a minority that keeps getting smaller and smaller.
Belief in the supernatural and spooks and fairies and angels and such should immediately be a disqualification to holding public office.
ReplyDeleteHere's the conclusion, what facts can we find to support it?
ReplyDeleteI believe that is from the Michael E. Mann school of "scientific" study - and if you call him out on it, be prepared to be sued.