RE: Is There a Difference Between Trusting Scientists and Trusting Preachers?
July 13, 2016 at 4:02 pm
(This post was last modified: July 13, 2016 at 4:03 pm by Alex K.)
Doing science is a job with well-defined requirements and quality standards. You can trust a scientist the same way you trust the guy who repairs your car or your dentist - you know in principle what the proper procedures are the scientist should follow to generate knowledge and interpret data or at least you know that there are such principles, just as you know (at least in principle) what principles your mechanic or dentist have to adhere to in order to do their job right. It is therefore clearly defined what constitutes malfeasance or neglect, in car repair as in science as in dentistry, and your trust into what a scientist says is on the same basis. It is not absolute, but it is on a firm basis provided by a generally accepted standard of what is proper procedure. I think this should make the difference to religious revelation clear enough, does it?
The fool hath said in his heart, There is a God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
Psalm 14, KJV revised edition
