Critical Thinking

Exploring Science Denial – New study published

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science denial

A new paper has been published within the Personality and Social Psychology bulletin entitled  … Not All Skepticism Is Equal: Exploring the Ideological Antecedents of Science Acceptance and Rejection We report three studies—including an analysis of large-scale survey data—in which we systematically investigate the ideological antecedents of general faith in science and willingness to support … Read more Exploring Science Denial – New study published

What makes beliefs that are not true credible?

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It is rather popular to promote belief by making an appeal along one of the following lines … Famous person X believes, or has just converted, or simply said something nice about the belief. Lots of people believe this or lots of people are converting and now believe this Individual offers a story about how … Read more What makes beliefs that are not true credible?

Be skeptical of Facebook quotes and memes

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It is very common to see quotes within various memes on Facebook and elsewhere. It is also often well worth asking yourself a few questions. Here are two key filters to apply, even if the quote appears to be something you agree with … Did that person really say that? What is the actual context? For the first, … Read more Be skeptical of Facebook quotes and memes

Practical Notes: Using Google to find out what is really true?

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Today I’ll try something slightly different and will instead offer a few notes on how to leverage Google to find stuff out. I should however start with one very important observation, Google search is just a tool, and like any other tool it is perhaps akin to a piece of rope that you can either climb with … Read more Practical Notes: Using Google to find out what is really true?

Over 80 percent of Americans support “mandatory labels on foods containing DNA”

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Now here is an article I quite enjoyed, the Washington Post reports … A recent survey by the Oklahoma State University Department of Agricultural Economics finds that over 80 percent of Americans support “mandatory labels on foods containing DNA,” about the same number as support mandatory labeling of GMO foods “produced with genetic engineering.” Oklahoma State economist Jayson … Read more Over 80 percent of Americans support “mandatory labels on foods containing DNA”

Skepticism 101: Learned Opinions are simply not enough

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I was offered the following quote, by a believer as “evidence” for god … “A little science estranges a man from God. A lot of science brings him back.”  – Francis Bacon. Would somebody really claim something like that? Yes they would. So there you have it then, somebody famous said it so it must be … Read more Skepticism 101: Learned Opinions are simply not enough