Science, Politics, and Two Unicorns: An Academic Critique of Science Advice

Abstract

Providing an “academic critique” of science advice, or rather the discussions of science advice that appear in the volume, is quite a challenge. In one sense, assembling the recollections of the seven living Presidential science advisors in this volume is a great public service and a tribute to seven men who committed many difficult years to improving the life of the nation through reason. During their tenures – ranging from the Kennedy Administration to the George W. Bush Administration and broken in continuous representation here only by the hand of fate – these men contributed to the recurrent demonstration that the federal government and the scientific community can partner for acclaimed achievements in building knowledge and using science to advance legitimate political goals.