Scientific Skepticism

"This is the crux of the scientific attitude: an abiding faith in some view or opinion allied to a healthy skepticism; a questioning challenging doubt of new ideas; but a mind definitely open to new ideas."—Dr. Kenneth B. M. Crooks [1]

The National Academy of Science says,

• "The fallibility of methods is a valuable reminder of the importance of skepticism in science. Scientific knowledge and scientific methods, whether old or new, must be continually scrutinized for possible errors. Such skepticism can conflict with other important features of science, such as the need for creativity and for conviction in arguing a given position. But organized and searching skepticism as well as an openness to new ideas are essential to guard against the intrusion of dogma or collective bias into scientific results."^[1]

Fred Singer wrote:

• ... authority and assumptions are to be constantly questioned, skepticism is vital to expanding knowledge, and experiments and observations are paramount. [2]

Dana Joel Gattuso wrote:

• The field of science is all about inquiry. Intolerance for questioning or even engaging in debate suggests a fear that a theory or hypothesis is not up to the test.^[2]

Jeff Stier wrote:

• All scientific research, regardless of the way it is funded, needs to be considered with the utmost skepticism. Every study should be evaluated to determine whether there is something wrong with it.^[3]

See also[edit]

• Atheist factions
• Journalistic skepticism

Notes[edit]

1. ↑ (John Daly website)
2. ↑ (Global Warming Intolerance)
3. ↑ Non-Industry-Funded Research Can Be Biased, Too