Naomi Oreskes: Why we should trust scientists

The video explores the relationship between science and belief, highlighting public skepticism towards scientific claims. It critiques the traditional scientific method, emphasizing its limitations and the role of inductive reasoning and modeling. The video discusses how scientific consensus is achieved through collective scrutiny and organized skepticism. It concludes by drawing parallels between trust in science and technology, advocating for evidence-based trust and improved communication from scientists.

Why do scientists prefer not to describe science as a matter of belief?

• Because belief is the domain of religion

• Because science is based on evidence and reasoning

• Because belief is not important in science

• Because science is based on faith

What is the main reason we should trust scientific claims according to the traditional view?

• Because science is a form of faith

• Because of the scientific method

• Because scientists are experts in all fields

• Because scientists are always right

What was a significant prediction of Einstein's theory of general relativity?

• The universe is static and unchanging

• Light bends around massive objects like the sun

• The Earth is the center of the universe

• Time is an absolute constant

What is the fallacy of affirming the consequent?

• Assuming a theory is false without evidence

• Assuming a theory is true without evidence

• Assuming a theory is false because its predictions are false

• Assuming a theory is true because its predictions are true

What was a key issue with the Copernican model's predictions?

• It was based on faith rather than evidence

• It relied on incorrect auxiliary hypotheses

• It failed to predict the motion of the planets

• It assumed the Earth was the center of the universe

How did Charles Darwin develop his theory of natural selection?

• By relying on the work of other scientists

• By using computer simulations

• By collecting data and making observations

• By starting with a hypothesis and testing it

What role do computer simulations play in scientific modeling?

• They are used only in climate science

• They help test ideas and understand causes

• They replace the need for physical experiments

• They are less reliable than physical models

What is 'organized skepticism' in science?

• A collective approach to scrutinize evidence

• A method to accept all scientific claims

• A method to avoid scientific consensus

• A way to promote new scientific ideas

How is scientific knowledge defined according to the consensus model?

• As the opinion of the most famous scientists

• As the result of individual genius

• As the consensus of scientific experts

• As the outcome of public opinion

What is the basis for trust in science according to the final section?

• Blind faith in scientists

• The authority of individual scientists

• The collective wisdom and experience of the scientific community

• The popularity of scientific ideas