Tag Archives: scientific consensus

Science is a path to knowledge

Posted on June 17, 2020 by

There are a lot of misconceptions about what science actually is, and, as a result, there are a lot of incorrect conclusions about the reliability and utility of science. I frequently encounter people who expect science to give absolute answers. … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature of Science | Tagged , | 29 Comments

The overwhelming consensus on climate change

Posted on January 20, 2020 by

The climate is changing, and we are the primary cause. These are simple facts that are supported by a vast body of evidence and agreed upon by virtually all experts. Nevertheless, many people continue to think that the science isn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Global Warming, Nature of Science | Tagged , , , , | 75 Comments

How to find and access peer-reviewed studies (for free)

Posted on September 17, 2019 by

The peer-reviewed literature is where scientists publish their research, and it is the source for scientific information. As a result, I spend a lot of time on this blog talking about it. I have explained how the peer-review system works … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

Don’t cherry pick your experts

Posted on August 26, 2019 by

The appeal to authority fallacy is one of the most common logical fallacies in internet debates. It is a favorite tactic among climate change deniers, anti-vaccers, young earth creationists, and pretty much anyone else who rejects “mainstream” science. I previously … Continue reading →

Posted in Global Warming, Rules of Logic | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Windows into Science: Scientific Conferences

Posted on August 12, 2019 by

I am writing this on my way home from attending two scientific conferences. These meetings are critical components of the modern scientific enterprise, and they provide a lot of insights into how science works, so I thought it would be … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature of Science | Tagged | 6 Comments