Science Is Not Just Another Opinion

How many times have you heard someone who is denying a finding of science say, "Science is just another opinion?"  This is indicative of either ignorance of science or a delusion created by religion, alternatives to medicine or other pseudoscience indoctrination.

Why do I say this?

How many times have you heard the term "Mathematics Denier?"  Right, never.  Everyone knows it deals with strictly right or wrong answers.  Most of us are not experts in mathematics.  However, we accept what the mathematics experts tell us.

Now, let's look at science.  Science is knowledge about or study of the natural world based on facts learned through experiments and observation. If you say, "What about the supernatural world?", how do you know it is real?  How do you test for it or verify it?  Personal experience and testimony are subjective, not objective, thus, cannot be tested or verified.  One knowledgeable in brain science and psychology is well aware of how the mind can lie to us.

Here is another way of looking at science:  it is learning.  Following is from David Silverman's recent book, Fighting God:

"Let's say you were trying to solve a maze, and you were at a point where you had three paths from which to choose.  You choose path A (you hypothesize that Path A is correct).  You take that path (testing Hypothesis A) and find a wall, so Path A fails and is not the correct answer.  Then you try Path B, but it also fails because you hit another wall.  Finally, you try Path C, and you succeed, so Path (Hypothesis) C in the answer.  If you describe your efforts to your friends, some may try out the same puzzle, and if they take the same steps as you, they will get the same results (peer review).

"Congratulations, you've used the scientific method to learn the answer, as we do in everyday life.  Trying on clothes, finding a new way to the store, eating a new food - - it's all learning via a form of the scientific method.  It's all hypothesis/test/revise.  It's how we learn."

Science deals in probability and not certainty.  There are many unknowns in our reality and there is much scientific disagreement.  However, when evidence is strong enough regarding a particular hypothesis, the experts in the pertinent fields come to a consensus regarding such evidence.  That consensus is called a scientific theory, or in practical terms, essentially a fact.  Yes, with further information (objective evidence), the theory may be tweaked, but will most probably not be completely overturned. By the way, evolutionary theory is a fact, as is gravity and quantum mechanics.  Do you deny any of them?

Science also comes to a consensus when, after extensive study, there is not enough evidence to support a claim.  This means that the claim has been falsified, or the null hypothesis is upheld.  Of course, this finding is provisional, and can be overturned if and when the unlikely event of enough supporting evidence for the hypothesis is presented in the future.  Please note that all testable claims for the existence of an interventionist deity, alternatives to medicine and all other pseudosciences have been falsified.

In light of the above, a person's contrary opinion to a consensus in science is very probably wrong, and not justified.  As in mathematics, there is an objective right and wrong answer.

Now, given the above, why are there "Science Deniers?"  Most people DO accept the results of science in most areas.  However, if the science goes against a belief that is deeply attached to one's identity, it is resisted very vigorously, and denied.

Following are selected links that further highlight the value of science:

Science-Based Thinking vs Magic/Faith-Based Thinking

Science, as a human enterprise, is the most successful tool ever devised for explaining our universe.

Other Ways Of Knowing?