More than one in two French people consider that scientific theories are only “hypotheses among others”, according to a survey

In a context of health crisis, the French seem more than fractured in their relationship to science. For example, 51% of the French respondents answered positively to the question of whether science is the only reliable source of information on the world. For 43% of them, the scientific community is independent while it is not for 40%. In addition, for more than one in two French people (53%), scientific theories are only “hypotheses among others”, according to the “Barometer of the Critical Spirit”, produced by the firm Gece for Universciencein partnership with franceinfo and La Croix, and published Tuesday, March 22.

Asked about the professionals in whom they trust in terms of science, and still in this context of health crisis, doctors come first, with 51% of respondents trusting the majority of them, but 38% ” only to some”. Scientists and researchers follow suit (44% of respondents trust the majority of them, 40% some). On the other hand, only 14% of French people trust the majority of general journalists to inform them about scientific subjects.

To learn about scientific subjects, the people questioned favor the traditional media of radio and television: 42% cite radio or television newspapers, 44% documentaries or specialized programmes, always on radio or television. Next come scientific websites (27%), specialized magazines (25%) and scientific books.

Regarding the open-mindedness of the French, 86% of them say they are “open to any new idea” while 81% say they “take into account as many opinions as possible on each subject.” Finally, 51% of French people prefer to discuss with people who do not think like them and 73% of respondents debate or discuss, often or from time to time, social or scientific subjects.

This survey was conducted from February 17 to 28 with 3,218 people constituting a representative sample of the French population. The quota method was applied.