Dr. Michael Shermer, a college professor and definitive skeptic, discusses scientific experiments influenced by social factors, the challenges of defining intelligence and success, replication crisis in social sciences, belief in paranormal phenomena, competition and cooperation in science and society, and a casual conversation about Scooby-Doo and Neil deGrasse Tyson
Trials and experiments are necessary in the social sciences to ensure accurate measurements and content validity.
Striking the right balance between competition and cooperation is crucial for a robust and reliable scientific process.
Scientific consensus, backed by evidence from multiple fields and independent scientists, builds confidence in scientific theories.
Deep dives
The Challenges of Self-Report Data in Social Sciences
Polling and self-report data in the social sciences can be problematic due to the inherent limitations of human perception and biases. To ensure accurate measurements and content validity, trials and experiments are necessary. This complexity adds another layer to the challenges faced by social scientists.
Competition and Cooperation in Science
Competition and cooperation both play important roles in the scientific community. While competition can drive innovation and scientific progress, excessive idolization of competition and tribalism can be detrimental. Cooperation among researchers is crucial for reproducibility, critical analysis, and the correction of false or biased claims. Striking the right balance between competition and cooperation can foster a more robust and reliable scientific process.
The Self-Correcting Nature of Science and Addressing Fraud
The scientific process is designed to be self-correcting, with researchers aiming for confirmation of their own hypotheses and the scientific community as a whole rigorously testing and replicating results. While fraud and errors can occur, often it is other scientists who uncover these issues, emphasizing the importance of transparency and collaboration. Whistleblower protections and the consistent exposure and correction of fraud contribute to the ongoing improvement and reliability of scientific knowledge.
Importance of Scientific Consensus
Scientific consensus, as exemplified by the 97% agreement among published peer-reviewed journal papers on climate science indicating anthropogenic global warming, is a vital factor in building confidence in scientific theories. Despite the occasional minority suggesting alternative perspectives, the convergence of evidence from multiple fields and independent scientists strengthens the credibility of scientific conclusions. This highlights the distinction between science and other methods of truth, emphasizing the diverse community of scientists arriving at the same conclusions based on evidence and not a shared group ideology.
Challenges in Public Perception of Science
There seems to be a growing anti-science sentiment in society, partly fueled by a resurgence in magical thinking and a diminished trust in scientific reasoning. While the social sciences and humanities have contributed valid criticisms about bias and the influence of ideology on scientific research, it is crucial to strike a balanced approach. Going to the extreme of assuming no objective reality or dismissing scientific authority entirely can have adverse effects, particularly when it influences policy decisions. Addressing public skepticism and polarization requires open dialogue, respecting evidence-based reasoning, and emphasizing the potential for slow, peaceful, and gradual change achieved through increased understanding and education.
This episode is a re-release of my amazing interview with the definitive skeptic, Dr. Michael Shermer. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I should be back in the studio for next week's episode.
Dr. Michael Shermer received his B.A. in psychology from Pepperdine University, M.A. in experimental psychology from California State University, Fullerton, and his Ph.D. in the history of science from Claremont Graduate University. He has been a college professor since 1979. Dr. Shermer is the Founding Publisher of Skeptic magazine, the host of the podcast The Michael Shermer Show, and a Presidential Fellow at Chapman University where he teaches Skepticism 101. For 18 years he was a monthly columnist for Scientific American. He is the author of several New York Times bestsellers, and has appeared on Oprah, Dateline, 20/20, and the Colbert Report. His two TED talks were voted in the top 100. He has been interviewed in countless documentaries and was the co-host of the Family Channel television series, Exploring the Unknown. Neil deGrasse Tyson has called him “a beacon of reason in an ocean of irrationality”.
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