in consideration of the fact that the scientific "truths" of any era have often been discarded or revised in light of later advances, would you agree that a degree of caution and patience is advisable in accepting scientific "facts" as truth?
2007-10-16 07:21:48 · 5 answers · asked by atomzer0 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
You're so right. Patience and caution are important.
At least science allows for revisions and new evidence to be taken into account. This is how it differs from religion, which punishes people for trying to re-examine questions.
In light of this, it's rather scary that the global-warming people are always trying to turn off debate and label people "evil" who want to question the findings or get more data.
2007-10-16 07:27:10 · answer #1 · answered by mikeburns55 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well the very definition of the scientific process is that science can't PROVE things, they can only give you a good idea of what people have seen. That's why evolution isn't the LAW of evolution it's the THEORY of evolution, because no one has seen macro evolution occur. That's also why a lot of other theories take so long to become laws as well. is because a theory has to have an extensive testing period before becoming a law. I think sponteous generation (life such as flies coming from dead things like a steak). was a law then an experiment proved otherwise, so even scientific laws can be disproven.
2007-10-16 14:48:42 · answer #2 · answered by mrstarware 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Scientist don't deal in "truth". Scientists have theories that they make based on observations and prove or disprove through experiments that are repeatable.
As you pointed out, theories do get discarded or revised over time. This is due to new observation and/or experiments, often made possible through new technology.
I do agree that you should be skeptical about scientific theories, especially if they
* are based on limited observations
* have excluded or ignored observations
* have no or limited experimental proof.
2007-10-16 15:02:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
science might occasionally get specific facts wrong, but science as a whole, as a system of assembling knowledge is a pretty certain thing.
2007-10-16 15:14:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Science deals with verifiable fact. This is not to say we will not continue to learn more and add to knowledge. We now validate theories.
2007-10-16 14:56:59 · answer #5 · answered by gzlakewood@sbcglobal.net 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋