Merchants of Doubt: Using History and Philosophy of Science to Understand the Climate Change Debate

Naomi Oreskes (Harvard University)

On vital issues such as genetically-modified foods and climate change, having correct scientific knowledge is vital for making good public policy. How does philosophy help us understand science? How strong is the scientific consensus about climate change, and the effects our species has on it? Naomi Oreskes, co-author of the award-winning book Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming, has studied the climate change debate as a historian and philosopher, and will explore the above questions, and more. Oreskes courageous work to expose deliberate attempts to sow confusion and doubt about important issues, such as climate change, is not based in rhetoric, as it is with some of the ‘merchants of doubt’ she writes about, but on looking at science using philosophical techniques.

The evening will be moderated by Paul Kennedy, host of of Ideas on CBC Radio One.

The lecture takes place on Friday, October 4, 2013 at 7pm EST in The Great Hall, Somerville House at Western University. Guests are invited to stay for a reception following the talk.

The lecture is free, but to attend, please RSVP online.