Can Science Ever Be "Settled?"

StartsWithABang writes "From physics to biology, from health and medicine to environmental and climate science, you'll frequently hear claims that the science is settled. Meanwhile, those who disagree with the conclusions will clamor that science can never be 'settled,' and then the name-calling from 'alarmist' to 'denier' ensues. But can science legitimately ever be considered settled, and if so, what does that mean? We consider gravitation, evolution, the Big Bang, germ theory, and global warming in an effort to find out."

Comments

"Settled" science is akin to religion.

[spads]

"The bible says it. I believe it. That settles it."

Re:i interpret it to mean

[Anonymous Coward]

It's is generally considered rude to correct spelling and usage errors in public too.

And consider this, the original author got their point across, so those who attack the argument on the basis of "bad form" betray their lack of a REAL argument. But we digress...

Re:i interpret it to mean

[Jane Q. Public]

"Well-established" or "well-proven" are more accurate terms but sound like severe understatements in some cases...

Except that neither apply to "greenhouse gas warming". There is lots of contrary science (although you don't generally hear about it on the news), and the evidence in favor has been weakening on an almost daily basis. In fact, there is quite a bit of evidence gathered by now that shows some researchers have been... well, let's just say "irresponsible" with their data.

Expect some big news within a couple of weeks.