4 ms·

What do you suggest then ? We claim that every opinion is equally worthy and just stop trying to understand the social world ?

chopin 6y ago
We could set higher bars for what is accepted as "scientifically valid" as an example. What you're saying is that wrong understanding is better than not to try. At least when political action affecting many is derived from science, standards must be higher than currently. For example the mRNA vaccines: As far as I know there is no or little research for possible long term side effects as the original research is for cancer medication which has vastly different risk trade offs. Nevertheless the vaccines are approved for use. I've read and seen in many discussions if one raises doubts that just "trust science" is the answer although there is no science. At least I expect when asked that a proponent can name a study which researches on the long term effects of vaccines or the underlying technology (eg. safety of packaging, which is deemed a trade secret and thus not public afaik). "Trust us" is the wrong answer as long as regulatory capture is a thing.
- toto444 6y ago
  > What you're saying is that wrong understanding is better than not to try. You can be wrong but state clear hypotheses and a non logically flawed reasoning that allows you to make statements about the world. These can then be tested for their validity. What you claim is that the standard for the quality of the test are not high enough. That may be true or false however this is only one aspect of science. For instance many people misunderstand the use of maths in Economics. The point of using mathematical models is not to be able to make predictions about next year's GDP but to make sure that what follows from your clearly stated hypotheses about human behaviour is consistent.

4 ms·

What do you suggest then ? We claim that every opinion is equally worthy and just stop trying to understand the social world ?

by toto444 6y ago

chopin 6y ago
We could set higher bars for what is accepted as "scientifically valid" as an example. What you're saying is that wrong understanding is better than not to try. At least when political action affecting many is derived from science, standards must be higher than currently. For example the mRNA vaccines: As far as I know there is no or little research for possible long term side effects as the original research is for cancer medication which has vastly different risk trade offs. Nevertheless the vaccines are approved for use. I've read and seen in many discussions if one raises doubts that just "trust science" is the answer although there is no science. At least I expect when asked that a proponent can name a study which researches on the long term effects of vaccines or the underlying technology (eg. safety of packaging, which is deemed a trade secret and thus not public afaik). "Trust us" is the wrong answer as long as regulatory capture is a thing.
- toto444 6y ago
  > What you're saying is that wrong understanding is better than not to try. You can be wrong but state clear hypotheses and a non logically flawed reasoning that allows you to make statements about the world. These can then be tested for their validity. What you claim is that the standard for the quality of the test are not high enough. That may be true or false however this is only one aspect of science. For instance many people misunderstand the use of maths in Economics. The point of using mathematical models is not to be able to make predictions about next year's GDP but to make sure that what follows from your clearly stated hypotheses about human behaviour is consistent.