ESA Position » Statements:
The Ecological Society of America endorses the following statement:
What Is Science?
Science extends and enriches our lives, expands our imagination and liberates
us from the bonds of ignorance and superstition. The Ecological Society of
America wishes to affirm the precepts of modern science that are responsible
for its success.
Science is the systematic enterprise of gathering knowledge about the universe
and organizing and condensing that knowledge into testable laws and theories.
The success and credibility of science is anchored in the willingness of
scientists to:
- Expose their ideas and results to independent testing and replication by other scientists. This requires the complete and open exchange of data, procedures, and materials.
- Abandon or modify previously accepted conclusions when confronted with more complete or reliable experimental or observational evidence.
- Adherence to these principles provides a mechanism for self-correction that is the foundation of the credibility of science.
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The Ecological Society of America is the country's primary professional organization
of ecologists, representing over 9,700 scientists in the United States and around
the world. Since its founding in 1915, ESA has diligently pursued the promotion
of the responsible application of ecological principles to the solution of environmental
problems through ESA reports, journals, research, and expert testimony to Congress.
For more information about the Society and its activities, visit the ESA website
at http://www.esa.org.
