BLUF
Scientists are usually sceptical about new ideas or theories, especially as there is now so much evidence to support existing scientific theories.Summary
This article by Ethan Siegel from Big Think notes some of the following points:
- First, new ideas or theories must falsify existing theories (see definition below).
- Must be able to falsify new theories.
- Many so-called new ideas are little more than pseudoscience, so it pays to be sceptical.
The Falsification Principle, proposed by Karl Popper, is a way of demarcating science from non-science. It suggests that for a theory to be considered scientific it must be able to be tested and conceivably proven false. For example, the hypothesis that "all swans are white," can be falsified by observing a black swan. Karl Popper - Theory of Falsification - Simply Psychology
References
Recent Runway Posts related to this topic:
References from the Web:
- Why Sometimes There Is Resistance To New Scientific Theories - Free Essay Example - Edubirdie
- 4 categories of pseudoscience — and how to talk to people who believe in them - Big Think
Source Information:
- Article Source: Big Think - Smarter, Faster
- Media Check: Big Think - Media Bias/Fact Check (mediabiasfactcheck.com)
