Why Trust Science Despite Occasional Errors
Do you ride elevators, cars, or airplanes? Do you eat, use deodorant, toothpaste, or wear cotton clothing? If you do any of these, you are trusting science every single day. Does this trust always work out? Not always. The Thalidomide tragedy is a chilling reminder of scientific errors that can have severe consequences. Yet, we generally do not doubt the reliability of science in our daily lives because it works right far more often than it goes wrong.
Science: A Self-Correcting System
Absolutely, but for this very reason. Unlike religion, science is inherently malleable and open to the possibility that its conclusions could be wrong. This is precisely how we advance our knowledge. The scientific community is vast and diverse, comprising numerous specific disciplines, all of which, in their respective ways, contribute to expanding our understanding of the world.
The trust in science stems from its community’s willingness to abandon incorrect theories when they are proven false. Disproving a theory is not about disproving the scientists themselves, but rather about advancing the truth. Scientists who successfully disprove a theory do not adhere to it but instead move on to newer, more accurate theories. This process is a continuous feedback loop that ensures the scientific community progresses.
The Dark Side: Flawed Scientists and Unsupported Theories
However, not all scientific disciplines are equally trustworthy. Unfortunately, some fields are driven by a desire to prove their theories correct, leading scientists to favor confirmation over falsification. These scientists use all the funding available to continuously support their theories, even when faced with unexpected data that contradicts their predictions. They add these new findings as placeholders in their theories and seek further funding to validate their theories.
This practice is not uncommon in some of the smallest and largest scientific fields, where the need for new discoveries and funding can lead to a cycle of unproven or inaccurately supported theories. While these theories might persist, the scientific community continues to critically evaluate and challenge them, ensuring that only the most accurate and robust theories survive.
The Process of Progress: Learning from Mistakes
Sometimes, getting things wrong is part of the process of eventually getting them right. This is the promise of science. Most scientific theories will undergo rigorous testing and peer review before being widely accepted. When a theory is found to be flawed, scientists work to refine and correct it. This ongoing process of improvement ensures that scientific knowledge evolves and becomes more accurate over time.
Moreover, not all scientific theories reach the public until they are well-established. Scientists are typically open to contesting theories, and the media often reports on ongoing research, allowing the public to follow the progress of scientific theories. Most people do not need to trust theories that do not significantly impact their lives. For those interested in a particular theory, staying informed about its progress and challenges can provide a solid basis for trust.
In conclusion, while scientific errors can occur, the scientific method is designed to correct these errors. By continuously questioning, testing, and refining, science ensures that we have a reliable and accurate understanding of the world around us. Trust in science is not unwarranted; it is a necessity in an interconnected and evidence-based society.