are scientists biased? please explain why or why not?

Answer 1

*Individual* scientists are human, and thus can be biased. The training of a scientist gives him/her all sorts of tools for guarding against such bias ... but they are human beings.

But the *scientific community* is *REALLY* structured to root out bias. The concept of *peer review* is the engine for this ... first, scientists have to make their results *public*, complete with detailed instructions for how others can repeat their results; and second, scientists are *rewarded* for pointing out problems (like bias) in another scientist's work. Thus one scientist's bias is guaranteed to be discovered by ten other scientists... and that acts as an incentive on every scientist to triple-check his or her work carefully before publishing and having some other scientists embarass them.

It's a strong system. It works.

Answer 2

Scientists are human. It appears impossible for a human to not be biased in some way. In most respects, scientists work hard to avoid bias. The main exceptions:

1. When bias benefits their career more than honesty. Politics is unavoidable. You get more longevity and funding if you agree with your boss, or if you support the hottest new trend like global warming.

2. When your fame and reputation depends on the success of your new theory.

3. When the honest, objective answer has implications you don't like. Macroevolution has no supporting evidence, but the alternative might include acknowledging the existence of a God to whom you may be personally and morally accountable.

4. When they don't like a person, or a class of people, for no good reason. They just don't like them.

Answer 3

Very biased. Certain scientists have their own theories and then spend their entire careers in order to vindicate them. Others then try to elevate themselves by knocking rival scientists down. As a result they spend more time bickering than they do experimenting.
When it comes to individual theories they like to attack each other. When it comes to conflicting paradigms they usually unite in favor of the one they prefer. Ask Galileo sometime. He had an interesting time dealing with the folks who believed in geocentricity. Then take a look at the current evolution/creation paradigms. You will find competent and sincere scientists on both sides.

Answer 4

The goal of Science (the idea, not the people) is to be unbiased.
The mind creates biased assumptions that the person might not know. But the act of trying to not be biased is often good enough.

Answer 5

Everyone is biased in some way. Science is the way to be as least-biased as possible - and knowing that someone will read it from another point of view and dismiss your work if you show a bias.

Answer 6

It doesn't matter, that is the whole purpose of science, to operate despite an individuals biases, the scientific method, peer review etc are designed to eliminate bias

I does not matter if you have bias if you can document findings, experiments etc that can be REPEATED by others

Answer 7

yes