Knowledge and action ‐ should scientists be responsible for both? Response to K. Kastenhofer in GAIA 33/4 (2024): From a normal and a post-normal science ethos towards a survival science ethos?

Should scientists be advocates or activists, or both? And if both, can, or even should, activism be part of the role as a scientist or is it always a “private” role? Kastenhofer (2024) argues for merging the two forms of engagement in survival science. I take a different position, suggesting that in order to remain trusted knowledge providers to society, scientists must be transparent about the role they are playing at any given moment. I substantiate my point by drawing on post-normal science and the history of philosophy. Concerned scientists can, and should be, active citizens but if they confuse their different roles, they may undermine the public value of scientific knowledge.