Does science have a rational method of inquiry that provides humans with objective truth about physical reality? Certainly a reply of yes represents the traditional claims of science, as delineated in Chapter 2. And certainly that would be the reply of most contemporary scientists, as well as the general public. Anyone who confidently believes the scientific stories that water really is H2O and that table salt really is NaCl gives every appearance of being in the camp that replies yes to this question.

Nevertheless, at present there is a controversy raging over science's claims of rationality and truth, a controversy of such intensity that it often goes by the name of the “science wars.” These intellectual wars have been so noteworthy that they have even made the front pages of the world's leading newspapers. This chapter will examine the controversy.

An enormous literature, some of it for and some against science's claims of rationality and objective truth, reveals a bewildering array of positions, motivations, attitudes, temperaments, rhetorics, and intended audiences. Accordingly, the first task is to locate a reasonable and constructive attitude for scientists to take toward this debate. Then we shall examine the four principal problems that convince some philosophers that science's claimed rationality is in big trouble. Finally, reactions from scientists will be explored, and some preliminary suggestions will be offered for shifting the debate to more fertile ground.