Wikipedia: Can YOU Handle The Truth?

I have commented several times regarding the value of Wikipedia, and its limitations. Click on the link below for a scholarly opinion on it. My bottom line: it is excellent IF you take the second step: click on the research presented on each claim pertinent to your search: 

“Wikipedia Is the Most Accurate Form of Information Ever Created”

Word Labels, Atheism, And Evidence

In any discussion, it is important to define terms. This is certainly clear when the topics include atheism and evidence. Click on the link below for a good example of how to be clear in such situations:

My "Evidence" Is Just As Good As Yours

I Have A Dream

This phrase is famously attached to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speech delivered on August 28, 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial (link). I can't think of a more powerful speech of unity and love. However, in reality, the USA is very far from achieving the speech's ideals. This link points to the extreme fragmentation of political opinion in the USA preventing significant agreement regarding how to achieve societal well-being.

MY "dream" of unity and love involves achieving a consensus agreement on what is "Truth" and how to best understand it and apply it to the benefit of society as a whole. The vast majority of USA society is religious, uses alternatives to medicine, believes in conspiracy theories, and otherwise believes in various pseudosciences (false knowledge). All of these beliefs/practices are harmful (peruse this blog for support for this fact). The ONLY alternative to this false knowledge problem is agreeing to only accept claims based on good objective evidence. Ideally, this would negate the role of traditional political parties (many Founding Fathers were leery of political parties due to factionalization of voters (link)). If one requires a name for the political movement I am presenting, how about the Sci Party?

Evidence Vs Faith 101

My friend, Edward Tarte, an ex-priest, succinctly compares evidence with faith.

Edward Tarte---Evidence vs. Faith

 

Flip-Floping: It Can Be The Mark Of A Rational Person (Or Politician)

"One of the most damning bits of criticism we atheists have of religious believers is that many of them admit that there is no amount of evidence that would change their mind about the various gods in which they believe. When they ask us what would change our minds and persuade us to believe, we are generally able to provide answers; however, many religious believers say that there is nothing that could convince them that they are wrong about their gods. "My mind is made up," they say, "don't confuse me with the facts."

Of course, there are panderers in politics.  THAT type of flip-floping is NOT what I am talking about.  I am talking about what the article is about:  the science-based thinking that is SO counter to those who are SO locked into their party, or religion, or alternative to medicine, or any other pseudoscience ideology that they can't get away from it.

Changing Our Minds

Science-Based Thinking: Changing Your Mind In Light Of Evidence

"But it wasn't brainwashing that made Bill Nye change his mind. As he explained in his 2015 book Unstoppable: Harnessing Science to Change the World, it was a healthy dose of evidence, coupled with an abrupt awakening to the unscientific nature of the anti-GMO movement."

Why Bill Nye Changed His Mind on GMOs

Mature And Decent People Form Opinions Based On Evidence

"The facts here are clear: These men were exonerated. Another man has admitted to committing the crime, as proven by DNA evidence," the campaign said in a statement. "Trump rushed to judgment on the case, has refused to admit he is wrong and continues to peddle yet another racist lie, a pattern for him and a clear reason why he is unfit to be president."

More evidence that Trump is not qualified for the Presidency

Changing One's Opinion In Light Of Evidence Is A Strength

"Every religious community must interpret its scripture and adjust its traditions to conform to the modern world. Western Christians used to murder people they believed were witches. They did this for centuries. It’s hard to exaggerate the depths of moral and intellectual confusion this history represents. But it is also true that we have largely outgrown such confusion in the West. The texts themselves haven’t changed. The Bible still suggests that witchcraft is real. It isn’t. And we now know that a belief in witches was the product of ancient ignorance and fear. Criticizing a belief in witchcraft, and noticing its connection to specific atrocities—atrocities that are still committed by certain groups of Christians in Africa—isn’t a form of bigotry against Christians. It’s the only basis for moral and political progress."

What Hillary Clinton Should Say about Islam and the “War on Terror”

The Most Dangerous Disease On The Planet

Yes, this is satire.  However, all good satire make a good point, and Borowitz never fails.  Just look around you.  Do you see fellow humans rationally analyzing claims to see if they comport with available evidence?  Ya, me neither.

Earth Endangered by New Strain of Fact-Resistant Humans

Personal Experience And Evidence

On my Facebook page recently, I posted a link supporting my opinion that personal experience is not evidence   The push-back on this statement was significant.  Many had a flexible definition of the term evidence which included personal experience.  Following is a clarification of these two terms.

Absence Of Evidence IS Evidence Of Absence

"Absence of evidence, or the failure to observe evidence that favors a hypothesis, is evidence against that hypothesis. This is because we are significantly more likely not to see evidence for a hypothesis when it is false than not to see it when it's true — some assertions demand that the universe be screaming with supporting evidence, so when that evidence is not actually observed, it counts against it."

(NOTE:  This is true when an hypothesis has been thoroughly investigated)

If evidence is lacking when we expect it to be abundant, then it very much allows us to dismiss a hypothesis.

What Is Dogma?

Wikipedia does as good of a job in defining dogma as any source.  As one can see, it is totally resistant to evidence and is ubiquitous.  In my opinion, it is the worst brain disease affecting humanity and must be defeated.

Dogma

Is YOUR view of reality blurred by indoctrination and dogma?

Evidence: Religious Apologists And Science-Based Thinkers Diverge

To religious apologists, evidence is broadly construed and includes personal experience and testimony.  To science-based thinkers, evidence is precise and firm, consisting of objective  observations and experimental results.  In the law, as well as in philosophy and science, the burden of proof is recognized as being on the party asserting the claim.  Religion gets a pass regarding the burden of proof.

Science-Based Thinking vs Magic/Faith-Based Thinking

There is a clear difference, and incompatibility, between science-based and magic/faith-based thinking.  Science-based thinking is supported by evidence and leads to justified true belief.  Magic/faith-based thinking is unsupported by evidence and is based on a desire for certainty and comfort.  Let's take a close look at this incompatibility.