Preface for Special Issue on “Science & Technology, and Evidence in the Post-Truth Era”

Abstract

As seen in the UK referendum asking withdrawal from EU in June 2016 and the US presidential election in November 2016, the politics of "Post-Truth" which put emphasis on personal beliefs and emotions more than objective facts is emerging. In this "Post-Truth" era, furthermore, there is a tendency to discount science & technology and evidence in policy planning, and voices of concern are raised by scientists and engineers against it. Hence, this special issue focuses on the science & technology activities and evidence-based policy making in the "Post-Truth" era. 4 contributors provide information, findings, and discussions on this issue, and some recommendations to science and technology community. Science is not ignored in the politics of the "Post-Truth" era, rather it is used as rhetoric tool in political arena. Therefore, scientific community should establish its own governance suitable for the "Post-Truth" era.