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> What does it mean to be less scientific? I'm not a fan of the "less scientific" phrasing, but the point of science is to be convincing to even a skeptic. Tha
by humanrebar 9y ago
> What does it mean to be less scientific?
I'm not a fan of the "less scientific" phrasing, but the point of science is to be convincing to even a skeptic. That's why reproducibility (try it yourself in your own lab!), statistical analysis (there's basically no chance this is a coincidence!), control groups (it's not just an endemic property of the lab), random sampling (it's not selection bias) and other things are so important.
In some kinds of inquiry, it becomes difficult or impossible to apply certain standards. It's flat out unethical and immoral to not treat a man's syphilis just to have better quality evidence. So if you're studying syphilis, you need to find other ways to be convincing. It's impossible to have a statistically significant sample of Earths or a control group of Earths, so the bar for convincing is also higher in climate science.
"Less scientific" probably means "doesn't have access to many standard scientific techniques, so stronger evidence in other ways is essential to be convincing".
- tptacek 9y agoWait, no, it's not "the point of science" to be "convincing to even a skeptic". Scientific reasoning is not a vote, or a talent show.
- humanrebar 9y ago> Scientific reasoning is not a vote, or a talent show. Sure it is. It evolved from "natural philosophers" showing off their work to each other. People have always been able to convince themselves of things, but scientific rigor is about convincing other people (i.e., being objective).
- deleted 9y ago[deleted]
- idlewords 9y agoThe hallmark of scientific objectivity is not convincing other people, but making correct (and testable) statements about reality.
- humanrebar 9y agoWhy is testability important? How do we know if something is correct? The point is to be convincing to a rational mind. It's not a persuasion contest, no. The evidence should speak for itself. But it needs to speak to an audience. Otherwise it would be a self indulgent exercise and not a corporate one.