Science and Critical Thinking

The author of the cartoon here conflates “capacity for critical thinking” and the “training to conduct scientific research,” even though they are two different things.

When it comes to space exploration, disease control, climate science, etc., all the critical thinking in the world is not going to get you one millimeter closer to the ability to draw your own conclusions.  If you’re honest with yourself, you realize that it’s a good idea simply to ask the scientists in whatever domain interests you what they believe and why.

I’m reminded of the perfectly well-meaning suggestions I’ve received throughout the years that I conduct my own research into climate change.   Flattering as it is, I’m no better equipped to do this than I am to perform open-heart surgery.

I’m perfectly comfortable knowing that thousands of honest, highly trained people, some of whom I have the pleasure of knowing personally, have made the study of climate change their life’s work, publish peer-reviewed papers on the subject, and make their conclusions available to me (and you).

If you think that makes me “gullible,” I don’t know what to say.