Editing Max Perutz (section)

===The scientist-citizen===
Perutz attacked the theories of philosophers [[Sir Karl Popper]] and [[Thomas Kuhn]] and biologist [[Richard Dawkins]] in a lecture given at Cambridge on 'Living Molecules' in 1994. He criticised Popper's notion that science progresses through a process of [[hypothesis]] formation and refutation, saying that hypotheses are not necessarily the basis of scientific research and, in molecular biology at least, they are not necessarily subject to revision either. For Perutz, Kuhn's notion that science advances in [[paradigm]] shifts that are subject to social and cultural pressures is an unfair representation of modern science.

These criticisms extended to scientists who attack religion, in particular to Dawkins. Statements which offend people's religious faith were for Perutz tactless and simply damage the reputation of science, though he did not criticize scientists opposing "demonstrably false" theories such as [[creationism]]. He concluded that "even if we do not believe in God, we should try to live as though we did."<ref>Patel, Kam [http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=154140&sectioncode=26 ''Perutz rubbishes Popper and Kuhn''], The Times Higher Education Supplement, 25 November 1994</ref>

Within days of the [[11 September attacks]] in 2001, Perutz wrote to British Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]], appealing to him to not respond with military force: "I am alarmed by the American cries for vengeance and concerned that President Bush's retaliation will lead to the death of thousands more innocent people, driving us into a world of escalating terror and counter-terror. I do hope that you can use your restraining influence to prevent this happening."<ref>Max Perutz and the Secret of Life, By Georgina Ferry. 352 pp., illustrated. Cold Spring Harbor, NY, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2008 {{ISBN|978-0-87969-785-3}}. p. 283 in UK version</ref>