I guess I could summarize my point as this: what allows you to have a valid critical mindset towards science is the very understanding of how science works, both at its core and in its sociology, as you've put it. Both blind faith in it and blind disregard of it are equally radical and unreasonable. The key to navigating scientific knowledge in a way which benefits both the individual and the societies lies in a truly informed criticism of its best and worse practices.

When I wrote about the several responsible parts, I guess I was slightly touching the sociological aspect of science. With respect to that, the best way people have to defend themselves from fraud and bad science or bad scientific journalism is through a solid scientific literacy, not through a rigid denial of all science. People might intelligently rely on what they find to be sound science, and criticize what they consider to be flawed science, but for that they need to know and understand the process.

And I never thought you did not adhere to scientific principles, quite the contrary. A moderate skeptical attitude is paramount in any serious scientific endeavor.