Why real expertise matters more than borrowed authority
The criticism of science or scientists should not target everyone with a title or degree, but only those who misuse such titles to claim expertise they do not possess. The problem lies not in credentials themselves, but in the false representation of knowledge.
Actual scientists and genuine experts deserve respect. They are the ones who can help resolve the confusion created by self-proclaimed authorities who merely hold positions without understanding. It is essential to separate the pretenders from the professionals — the former seek recognition and lucrative compensation, the latter pursue knowledge and truth.
Now everyone is a science expert or scientist — except the actual scientist.
Degrees Do Not Deceive — Misplaced Authority Does
Degrees or titles do not deceive the public. What misleads people are those who make claims or promote subjects outside their field of training. Many individuals with degrees in unrelated disciplines, particularly those in medicine and pharmaceuticals, present themselves as experts in science, even though they lack the required foundation in physics and chemistry — the core sciences.
Ironically, some now dismiss formal education and mock genuine expertise, as if knowledge and qualification no longer matter. This attitude mirrors the arrogance they criticize. Inviting anyone without a proper understanding to speak on scientific matters does not help; it only deepens the existing confusion.
My advice to these haters of titles and degrees is simple: learn the subject first. Then bring the genuine scientists — those with real expertise — to evaluate the issue properly.
For instance, in medicine, the development, testing, and manufacturing of drugs are matters of chemistry, not clinical medicine. Physicians may prescribe medications, but they are not trained to create, scientifically test, or manufacture them. These responsibilities belong to chemists, not clinicians.
Real progress will come only when science is placed back in the hands of true scientists — those who understand matter, measurement, and mechanism — not in the hands of those who merely claim the title.
When Titles Replace Knowledge
In today’s world, everyone seems to be a science expert — except scientists. It has become a fashion to attach the word “science” to everything, from health advice to political slogans. Even those with no understanding of chemistry, physics, or mathematics now parade as “scientists” or “researchers.”
This habit is not harmless. It has corrupted the meaning of science itself. When everyone claims to represent science or expertise, the word loses its value — and truth disappears in the noise of empty authority.
I have no objection to people expressing informed views, whether or not they hold academic titles. But when opinions are presented as (scientific) fact, the speaker must at least be expected to understand the subject. That is the difference between honest discussion and deception.
Some readers suggest I should mention my background — a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry and over thirty years as a research scientist at Health Canada — to give weight to my views. I usually avoid it, but I understand the logic: context matters. It shows that the words come from someone who has worked with real science, not slogans.
The real problem lies elsewhere — in the abuse of professional titles, especially by physicians. The issue is not with being an M.D.; it is with pretending that it means having a science degree or having science expertise. Medicine is a profession, not a science. It applies knowledge but does not discover or define it. Yet, the public has been made to believe that doctors speak for science itself.
That is the deception. Not the title — but the false claim behind it. When professional authority is mistaken for scientific authority, confusion reigns, truth fades, and the loudest voice becomes the final word. That is how pseudoscience grows — not from ignorance alone, but from misplaced trust in those who claim to know what they never learned.
Restoring Science to Its Rightful Place
Science cannot survive through slogans, titles, or authority; it thrives through understanding and honesty. When a society begins to equate medical routine with science, or credentials with understanding, it steps away from truth and into illusion. The way forward is clear: respect knowledge, value expertise, and let those who truly understand science — the chemists, physicists, and mathematicians — lead the way back to reality.