The realities of science as actually practiced rather complicates the religion of "trust the science!" (which usually actually means "trust the scientists!")
The science-as-religion people think that science delivers truth in the same way any other theology does.
I took a philosophy class filled with people in science degree programs and a few of my classmates were often vocally upset about how nothing was certain in philosophy and everything had multiple sides to it. That was very eye opening, many of these people were soon to be graduated and through their entire educational career they had only been exposed to Truth to the extent that being shown debate and disagreement on a topic made them upset.
You're not supposed to "trust the science" you're supposed to trust the process to approach the truth. If you can't read multiple arguments on the same topic and analyze them, you really don't get it at all (and waaay too many people with degrees can't do this).
> You're not supposed to "trust the science" you're supposed to trust the process to approach the truth. If you can't read multiple arguments on the same topic and analyze them, you really don't get it at all (and waaay too many people with degrees can't do this).
Agree entirely. I’ll add that I go slightly further. If you can’t take your pet topic, and can’t make even a slightly good faith argument against yourself, you have no business with strong feelings on it.
I have a wedge issue topic I am an expert on. I could argue against myself, both effectively, and in an actual compromise that no one wants.
Yet… people who argue against “my side” are constantly using complete bullshit science from the 1980/1990s when governments literally weaponized depts and ivy leagues to push for “evidence” to support their desired policy changes.
These people now tell me to “trust the science”, “I’m sure this researcher at Harvard is wrong and you’re right”, and ”this article from CNN / FOX / VOX / WAPO proves you are wrong and I refuse to consider they have an agenda”.
Worst part that there is no shame of willful ignorance, they “trust” the people they claim can’t be wrong, simple, done. Why should they bother to acknowledge another side - if they do it means everything else needs reevaluation too.
I took a philosophy class filled with people in science degree programs and a few of my classmates were often vocally upset about how nothing was certain in philosophy and everything had multiple sides to it. That was very eye opening, many of these people were soon to be graduated and through their entire educational career they had only been exposed to Truth to the extent that being shown debate and disagreement on a topic made them upset.
You're not supposed to "trust the science" you're supposed to trust the process to approach the truth. If you can't read multiple arguments on the same topic and analyze them, you really don't get it at all (and waaay too many people with degrees can't do this).