Johnson David R, Ecklund Elaine Howard, Di Di, Matthews Kirstin R W
University of Nevada, Reno, USA.
Rice University, USA.
Public Underst Sci. 2018 Jul;27(5):535-549. doi: 10.1177/0963662516673501. Epub 2016 Oct 10.
Drawing on 48 in-depth interviews conducted with biologists and physicists at universities in the United Kingdom, this study examines scientists' perceptions of the role celebrity scientists play in socially contentious public debates. We examine Richard Dawkins' involvement in public debates related to the relationship between science and religion as a case to analyze scientists' perceptions of the role celebrity scientists play in the public sphere and the implications of celebrity science for the practice of science communication. Findings show that Dawkins' proponents view the celebrity scientist as a provocateur who asserts the cultural authority of science in the public sphere. Critics, who include both religious and nonreligious scientists, argue that Dawkins misrepresents science and scientists and reject his approach to public engagement. Scientists emphasize promotion of science over the scientist, diplomacy over derision, and dialogue over ideological extremism.
本研究基于对英国各大学的生物学家和物理学家进行的48次深度访谈，考察了科学家对明星科学家在社会争议性公共辩论中所扮演角色的看法。我们以理查德·道金斯参与科学与宗教关系相关的公共辩论为例，分析科学家对明星科学家在公共领域所扮演角色的看法，以及明星科学对科学传播实践的影响。研究结果表明，道金斯的支持者将明星科学家视为在公共领域维护科学文化权威的煽动者。包括宗教和非宗教科学家在内的批评者则认为，道金斯歪曲了科学和科学家，并反对他的公众参与方式。科学家们强调推广科学而非科学家个人，倡导外交手段而非嘲笑，主张对话而非意识形态极端主义。
