The Origins of Morality

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Some scientists want to understand the origins of morality, say, or consciousness. Theists will often argue there's a handful of proofs left for god's existence. Maybe there's not consensus yet on the origins of life, apparently. Why we would have that kind of brotherly love for people that are like us and speak the same language.

In this interview, based on her landmark book, Why Trust Science?, historian of science Naomi Oreskes offers a bold and compelling defense of science, revealing why the social character of scientific knowledge is its greatest strength — and the greatest reason we can trust it. Drawing vital lessons from cases where scientists got it wrong, Oreskes shows how consensus is a crucial indicator of when a scientific matter has been settled, and when the knowledge produced is likely to be trustworthy.