The End of Science?

Ten years ago, science journalist John Horgan published a provocative book suggesting that scientists had solved most of the universe's major mysteries. The outcry was loud and immediate. Given the tremendous advances since then, Discover invited Horgan to revisit his argument and seek out the greatest advances yet to come.

For the 10th anniversary of The End of Science I wanted to address these new objections. What I find is that the limits of scientific inquiry are more visible than ever. My goal, now as then, is not to demean valuable ongoing research but to challenge excessive faith in scientific progress. Scientists pursuing truth need a certain degree of faith in the ultimate knowability of the world; without it, they would not have come so far so fast. But those who deny any evidence that challenges their faith violate the scientific spirit. They also play into the hands of those who claim that "science itself is merely another kind of religion," as physicist Lawrence Krauss of Case Western Reserve University warns.

Are we researchers done for? Are our research considered useless? Read the full article here and have your say at the comments section below.