BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

What Scientists Believe

What Scientists Believe: Episode 3

Episode 3

BBC Radio 4 - What Scientists Believe, Episode 3

Stephen Webster talks to zoologist Andrew Gosler.

Stephen Webster talks to zoologist Andrew Gosler, whose personal beliefs about the natural world do not map neatly onto his scientific researches.

Philosopher Stephen Webster investigates the links between scientists' personal beliefs and their scientific work. He wants to know how an individual scientist's personal, psychological and intellectual qualities map onto their chosen area of science. How much of a scientist's personality is reflected in their work? Should subjective private beliefs be a part of objective scientific outcomes? What happens if tensions develop between a scientist's beliefs and the formal demands of science? If tensions arise, how can they be resolved?

In this programme, Stephen meets zoologist Andrew Gosler. For more than 25 years, Andrew has been studying the Great Tit population in Wytham Wood near Oxford. Andrew greatly respects the animals he studies and the environment they inhabit. He finds inspiration working so closely with nature, and that inspiration motivates his scientific enquiries. But Andrew accepts that scientific description can only ever provide a partial description of reality. Science will never encapsulate Andrew's own, private and unique relationship with the world he studies.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Documentaries

Factual: Life Stories

Factual: Science & Nature

Stephen Webster investigates the links between scientists' personal beliefs and their work

Philosopher Stephen Webster investigates the links between scientists' personal beliefs and their scientific work

Accessibility links

Programme Index

What Scientists Believe

Episode 3

Genres

Series

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4