What is the appropriate role for scientific experts in a democratic community?

Please read the play: An Enemy of the People. You will learn about an environmental crisis and the moral dilemma it creates for a number of the characters.
As a response to this situation, you will write a 1,000-word paper.
In the first half of your paper you will select three of the characters listed below: analyse their character; describe each of their positions on the problem of the springs; and, explain the arguments each gives to support their position.
Tom Stockmann
Peter Stockmann
Hovstad
Catherine Stockmann
Morten Kiil
Horster
In the second half of your paper, answer one of the following three questions below:
1How should one resolve the "trilemma" which Tom Stockmann faces? He has a duty to his profession, a duty to his family, and a duty to his employer. Doing any one of his duties violates another. Which should take precedence? Can you have a duty to your society that the society does not want you to fulfill? Is Dr. Stockmann really a traitor to his town? Is he a hero? Who’s right in Kirsten Springs?

2Should the free speech rights of political dissenters be suspended in times of public emergency or crisis? Aren’t some IDEAS, even if true, dangerous and threatening to the majority’s interests? Must a community tolerate and protect the lone dissenter, even when the majority believes him or her to be wrong? To what extent is the media obliged to provide a venue for unpopular opinions?

3What is the appropriate role for scientific experts in a democratic community? To what extent should citizens trust the experts? Are they obliged to learn enough about science to judge issues concerning pollution, the environment, nuclear energy, etc., for themselves? Does the right to vote convey a responsibility to learn something about public affairs? Does a special knowledge of science give a person the right to lead or govern? As global challenges increasingly require specialized knowledge in science and technology, wouldn’t it be better if governments were run by scientists and engineers?