It would seem that even worse than science illiteracy is math illiteracy, specifically illiteracy in the areas of logic and statistics. With this type of literacy, one makes wise investments, knows and understands the net benefits of vaccination, avoids gambling halls, perhaps weighs pluses and minuses of each matter individually instead of making gross assumptions. Without this, one is prey to fads and delusions launched by hucksters.

As one who spent his life in scientific pursuits, I also have these cautions 1) Science after all is supposed to be a statistical stand-in until something better comes along, and so carries with it a kind of “humility of wisdom” 2) Indeed, there are reasons to fear runaway science and scientific arrogance (ie Biological and Nuclear warfare) which may lie at the core of some scientific fears and ultimately ignorance.