Nazi scientists were in consensus they were the master race.
In 1975 there was a consensus that the earth was headed into another Iceage.
In the 1930's there was a consensus that smoking was healthy.
2007-02-27 10:51:27 · 10 answers · asked by jack_scar_action_hero 3 in Environment
Ahhh! ..... There was consencsus the Earth was flat.
2007-02-28 05:18:58 · update #1
Look up the true meaning of consensus. It does not make something fact, more like fiction. However, in truth, neither is correct as consensus is only that, an opinion of a majority regarding a particular question or issue.
2007-02-27 10:55:57 · answer #1 · answered by Ted 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are no facts in science outside of mathematics. All other scientific theories are a consensus of experts operating under the rules of the scientific method. When a new theory is proposed, it makes falsifiable predictions. Over time, if the predictions are not proved false, the theory gains support, and eventually a consensus among scientists is reached. Non scientist interpret the consensus to mean fact, but scientist do not. They will abandon or modify a theory if evidence falsifies it.
2007-02-27 21:44:22 · answer #2 · answered by meg 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Consensus must translate into fact or be proved wrong. Remember, there was a consensus that the Earth was flat.
2007-02-27 18:54:46 · answer #3 · answered by amazin'g 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A consensus does not necessarily make something a fact. A consensus is reached when a group of people with differring opinions about something reach an agreement that they all can live with. It doesn't mean something is a fact or true but they can live with it.
2007-02-27 18:59:18 · answer #4 · answered by Paul L 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Reality is that which doesn't cease to be just because you don't believe in it. But some things become a fact by consensus. It is a fact that kids like to play video games, because that is the consensus of all the kids.
2007-02-27 19:51:03 · answer #5 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Depends on the strength of the consensus. When it's held by the vast majority of experts in the field, and backed by solid and repeatedly verified data, it's powerful.
That was not true about any of the things you cite.
The Nazis were a minority of scientists.
Only a minority actually feared an ice age in the near future.
People just didn't have the data on tobacco.
These don't apply about global warming. It's the vast majority (99+%) of climatologists around the world. It's backed by reams of solid and verified data.
The guys below are not dumb. They don't get their information from "An Inconvenient Truth", they get it from the best scientists in the world. They're not liberals or environmental extremists. And, making an intelligent analysis of the consensus on global warming, they've decided global warming is fact. You may not respect them all, but surely you respect some.
"The science of global warming is clear. We know enough to act now. We must act now."
James Rogers, CEO of Charlotte-based Duke Energy.
"The overwhelming majority of atmospheric scientists around the world and our own National Academy of Sciences are in essential agreement on the facts of global warming and the significant contribution of human activity to that trend."
Russell E. Train, Republican, former environmental official under Presidents Nixon and Ford
"We simply must do everything we can in our power to slow down global warming before it is too late. The science is clear. The global warming debate is over."
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Republican, Governor, California
"Our nation has both an obligation and self-interest in facing head-on the serious environmental, economic and national security threat posed by global warming."
John McCain, Republican, Senator, Arizona
"These technologies will help us become better stewards of the environment - and they will help us to confront the serious challenge of global climate change."
President George Bush
2007-02-27 19:34:43 · answer #6 · answered by Bob 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Fact: the earth is warming now
Fact: the earth went through warming AND cooling cycles in the past.
Fact: you will pay taxes, sales, or other.
Fact: you will die sooner or later.
The rest is speculation.
A consensus only works in highschool proms, and on American Idol, maybe...
2007-02-27 19:03:20 · answer #7 · answered by Drgeeforce 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Never
In science a consensus arises though the use of repeatable data gained from experimentation.
None of the examples you used were scientific consensus'
Even then data can be interpreted wrongly
2007-02-27 18:53:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
In science, a fact is a series of observations made by competent observers... the defintion of "competent" is open for debate, thus nothing is ever really "fact" 100%
Nothing.
2007-02-27 18:56:06 · answer #9 · answered by slipknotraver 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
never.
everyone could be wrong!
2007-02-27 18:54:05 · answer #10 · answered by BILL@CA 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋