I would argue that the idea that certain facts and knowledge are certain and agreed upon is a very mid 20th century idea. An idea about "modernity", as you seem to be getting at in your second paragraph.

But we know now in the 21st century that the above idea is not a social fact any longer. We can't seem to agree on even the most basic facts around science. We live not in a modern world, but a postmodern world. For better and for worse.