In our inaugural conversation, we had the opportunity to speak with Alice Dreger, PhD. Dr. Dreger is an historian and philosopher of science, a journalist, and an activist. One of those rare thinkers who draws her readers into complex and controversial topics as if they’re just hanging out, jawing over a couple of drinks, Dreger’s work makes people question the long held “scientific” doctrine. In doing so, she forces them to consider that these beliefs are rooted in political bias as much as anything else.
Trained in the history and philosophy of science, Dr. Dreger is the author of four books (editor of five, many, many articles, and even many more talks). Dreger’s work reveals a fascinating combination of serious scholar, old school muckraker, and prodigious instigator – a modern-day Socrates. Indeed, Dreger is unafraid to ask how and why people believe what they do.
Dr. Dreger began her career as an academic focused on analyzing the history of medical approaches to infants born with non-specific genitalia. This work led her to become an advocate for intersex people, those born with combinations of male and female biological traits. Dreger realized early on that social norms often influence scientific investigation and the interpretation of evidence – all too often to the detriment of those individuals who did not fit neatly into “normal” categories.
For Dreger, truth is worth fighting for, tirelessly, and without fear or favor. Indeed, some of Dreger’s advocacy work has brought her into direct conflict with groups on various sides of the issue at hand. Undaunted, Dreger continues her work.
Episode Resources
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