Science and Critical Thinking-Michael Shermer: Baloney Detection Kit
“You equip yourself with information about the world to be literate across the whole range, and especially to be scientifically literate,” says A.C. Grayling, a revered philosopher . “To be an informed participant in the great conversation of mankind is to have an alert awareness and understanding of what’s happening in the world.” He says.
With a sea of information coming at us from all directions, how do we sift out the misinformation and bogus claims, and get to the truth? Michael Shermer of Skeptic Magazine lays out a “Baloney Detection Kit,” ten questions we should ask when encountering a claim.
The 10 Questions:
1. How reliable is the source of the claim?
2.Does the source make similar claims?
3. Have the claims been verified by somebody else?
4. Does this fit with the way the world works?
5. Has anyone tried to disprove the claim?
6. Where does the preponderance of evidence point?
7. Is the claimant playing by the rules of science?
8. Is the claimant providing positive evidence?
9. Does the new theory account for as many phenomena as the old theory?
10. Are personal beliefs driving the claim?
Listen to him
quite undetermined about these things. neither in favor nor against. Our ancient stories and presents claims of skeptics, astrology, pseudoscience make confusion when combined with modern science.
(at the same time when science is making things clear day by day, as a believer of energy and soul can’t total deny so easily)
Once settled and having time will like to inquire deep and then will decide what is what actually.
Interesting topic.
nice and clear key points in baloney kit.