I'm confused about what you guys keep getting at here when you say vague stuff like "reinforcing social statuses". I hope it's not what I think it is.

My issues with the "soft" sciences, is chiefly their inability to replicate findings, and the paradoxical authority these so called scientists seem to gain despite not actually following the scientific method. It doesn't have to be this way either.

I'm not saying everything in these fields are total bunk or anything but I've been deceived by them enough by now that they have lost my trust. I'm sure there are plenty that actually do good science but I'm not capable of telling them apart from the rest unfortunately.

Even more concerning is this pretentious attitude reminiscent of what I'd expect from a religion or political movement than a field of science. Are we starting to treat universitys like cathedrals now? A scary thought.