Sumo-
Which is part of the scientific method, no?
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Isn’t it both? The western scientific method isn’t perfect, ironic hubristic claims aside (not you personally). It is however, far and away the best method we have.
Do correct me if I’m wrong, I’m not a pro at this.
Scientific knowledge is valid until new scientific knowledge proves it invalid. The pyramid of knowledge that results is a feature, but also a problem. In this case, there would’ve been thousands of doctors denying patients treatment for Alzheimer’s, basing their assessments on conventionally held scientific knowledge that was later proven wrong. Even if doctors and patients’ families claimed their patient had Alzheimer’s, their theories would’ve been dismissed because they ran counter to better established “scientific fact”. Thousands if not millions of people were harmed because important decisions were taken based on forged facts.l
That’s not ideal, and I believe humans can find a way to improve it someday.
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NotThamesWater
Muc-ed-off
The scientific method is the best tool we have to generate knowledge, but damn if stories like these don’t expose its shortcomings.