Cafe Inquiry

This month's discussion topic: the scientific method

The scientific method is a standardized method of discovery that has greatly expanded our knowledge about the universe and improved quality of life. The overall process tests our ideas about the universe and uses the observations to determine the best approximate description of the phenomena observed.

The scientific method has been immensely useful in expanding human knowledge, increasing lifespans, and improving our quality of life. However, it has also at times been misused. Phrenology is simply the most famous example of scientists, or society, attempting to use the scientific method to confirm human biases, preconceptions, or prejudices. Recently, the social sciences had a vast swathe of research discredited due to the failure of scientists to redo experiments and the focus on forward-looking experiments. The scientific method may be impartial, but its implementation by humans is not always perfect.

While the scientific method is broadly accepted in the scientific community,parts of society reject certain scientific positions or are skeptical about science. In the U.S., a significant portion of people reject climate change, biological evolution, and certain discoveries about medicine and human biology. Anti-science attitudes seem to be often caused by fear of rejection in social groups, and are often determined by political affiliation.

What makes the scientific method such a successful human method for expanding human knowledge? What are its weaknesses, or weaknesses in how humans have tried to implement the scientific method? What important endeavors exist outside the purview of the scientific method? If we accept that knowledge is important, how can we help improve acceptance of scientific discoveries and positions?