The thing to recognize is that they are not using the same truth-finding-function that you are. That may in fact mean that you can't meaningfully compare truths

The thing to recognize is that they are not using the same truth-finding-function that you are. That may in fact mean that you can't meaningfully compare truths. You are being empirical; they are either relying on "it makes sense" (rationalism, probably) or they are relying on their trust in the person making the statement. I'm not sure what the solution to this problem is, but it's probably not empirical evidence, since that isn't what they consider to be valid. Mostly I think the solution is to teach children science and history, and that if they get to be adults without having those frameworks of understanding, there's no real hope of acquiring them. I'd like to believe that's just cynicism though.