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Admittedly, the body of scientists, as a whole, does uphold the authority of science over the lay public. It controls thereby also the process by which young men are trained to become members of the scientific profession.

To be sure, the vast majority of people who are untrained can accept the results of science only on authority.

At a time when science plays such a powerful role in the life of society, when the destiny of the whole of mankind may hinge on the results of scientific research, it is incumbent on all scientists to be fully conscious of that role, and conduct themselves accordingly.

Others think it the responsibility of scientists to coerce the rest of society, because they have the power that derives from special knowledge.

Science isn't about authority or white coats; it's about following a method. That method is built on core principles: precision and transparency; being clear about your methods; being honest about your results; and drawing a clear line between the results, on the one hand, and your judgment calls about how those results support a hypothesis.

Authority is something from which we are constantly subtracting, of which there remains always a residue, and which we attempt to make smaller and smaller.

In other words, the Church acknowledges Science as the higher authority.

The first thing to make clear is that scientists, freely making their own choice of problems and pursuing them in the light of their own personal judgment, are in fact co-operating as members of a closely knit organization.

There is not much that even the most socially responsible scientists can do as individuals, or even as a group, about the social consequences of their activities.

Though neglectful of their responsibility to protect science, scientists are increasingly aware of their responsibility to society.