I think there is a case for (for want of a better word) "practical wisdom" in assessing scientific claims as well. For instance, if a scientist's every finding

I think there is a case for (for want of a better word) "practical wisdom" in assessing scientific claims as well. For instance, if a scientist's every finding matches their political views, that's a "smell". Or a track record of their previous predictions. Or how viciously they attack people who disagree with their conclusions. Or whether they lie about being a nobel prize winner.