Why 'scientific consensus' fails to persuade
Tuesday, September 14, 2010 - 10:21
in Psychology & Sociology
A recent study sought to understand why members of the public are sharply and persistently divided on matters on which expert scientists largely agree. How would you determine whether or not a scientist seems like an "expert" on a particular matter? It is likely to depend on whether the position the scientist takes is consistent with the one believed by most people who share your cultural values.