Science and Sadness

Kimberly Nicolas works on climate crisis at Lund University (Sweden). She makes an interesting observation about science training and our emotions (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/24/scientists-facts-feelings-climate-crisis-sadness). Nicolas points out that successful scientists have to retain their objectivity. If they don't, they are often eliminated by promotion boards for not 'having the right stuff'. Scientists are supposed to search for objective truths. They supply the information, guiding how others (society, politicians and other policy makers?), might act. They are not, however, supposed to let their emotions 'get in the way'. Some 'scientists' do deviate from this imperative. Confusingly, these 'eccentrics' include both charlantans and high-principled folk (these are sometimes difficult to distinguish). Nicolas notes the increasing difficulty for people studying climate change, not to respond emotionally. They will feel sadness at the prospect of losing people, groups of studied organisms and ecosystems. Only a few years ago, only a few experts felt real concerns by the climate change data they were uncovering. Now, most people on the planet are at least aware that 'Houston, we have a problem'. This is probably even true, in the case of climate change deniers. Perhaps the scientists should be allowed to feel? Afterall, they have generally been living with awareness of the dangers for longer. Being scientifically objective does not preclude feeling sadness at what one is seeing.