Reason The Most Important Element of Science

2 Facts Matters If nonsense goes into a statistical analysis, nonsense will come out. The nonsensical output will have all the statistical trappings, will look just as official, just as "scientific," and just as "objective" as a substantively useful analysis'. It is, however, the substance and not the form that is the important thing.

3 Plato’s Allegory of the Cave (Perception v. Reality) We observe merely shadows on the cave wall. This suggests that we should be skeptical of our own opinions.

4 Epistemological Modesty The understanding that beliefs are susceptible to error that we must therefore be modest about what we believe

5 Medawar’s Advice I cannot give any scientist of any age any better advice than this: The intensity of the conviction that a hypothesis is true has no bearing on whether it is true or not. Peter Medawar

(c) B. Gerstman 2007Chapter 96 Rules of Sociologic Method & Notiones Vulgares Emile Durkheim ( ) Crudely formed popular notions of natural and social phenomena (notions vulgares) often the basis of political desire are harmful social science methods. 6

7 BS v. Science BS manipulates beliefs toward a desired outcome. In contrast, science bends over backwards to understand alternative explanations. Blackburn, S. (2005). Oxford Univ. Press Frankfurt, H. G. (2005). Princeton University Press

8

9 Science Without Sense Vulgar social notions based on flawed research: Costs billions Cause us to lose credibility (a public health crisis of growing proportion) Ultimately causes disease, disability, and death

10