Science, truth, and language: Communicating with non-science and public audiences
Monday, May 30, 2011 - 11:00
in Psychology & Sociology
How many times do we hear that some scientific view is "only theory" or that it is "not proven"? The hidden implication is that if we have not "proven" the case, then we do not know anything for certain about it, and any idea is as good as any other. A recent and vivid example of this problem is the ongoing argument in the popular media about global warming. Do we need to be absolutely certain before we take action?