Communicating Science: A Path Paved of Obstacles

The aim of this chapter is to study the obstacles encountered during the process of diffusing science in societies. We classify and study such obstacles. These obstacles are related to assumptions implicitly present in paradigms, to common sense, to the various and inequivalent interpretations of scientific theories, and to religious beliefs, but also today to what we call the opacity of algorithms and very recently to mentality denying or relativizing the reference to truth itself. We emphasize the importance of the study of such obstacles not only to teach science and to explain it to a broad audience but also to perform research activities without being inhibited by implicit ideas, ideologies, and assumptions, which are not at all necessary and which prevent creativity.