I think I have good Bayesian reasons to take science on faith (rather than, say, mythology that is being offered in its stead), but do I therefore have good reasons to accept a particular well-established scientific theory on faith, or is it incumbent upon me to examine it, if I think its conclusions are important to my life?
In what sense does it matter for your life? If it matters because you want to do molecular biology, than it makes sense to understand evolution on a deeper level.
That’s a good point. I suppose it has no practical implications for me, except that I’d like to have an accurate model of how the Universe works. Although if I were a young-earth creationist, it would have mattered a lot.
But let’s take global warming. That one does matter in a practical sense.
But let’s take global warming. That one does matter in a practical sense.
When it comes to global warming there are two separete issues.
The first is talking about global warming. It’s good for a society is a broad public debates important issues.
On the personal level however the significance of being wrong about global warming is relatively low for most people. Given that’s low you can just go with what your favorite authority says. If you however work in a field where it’s not low, I would again recommend that you get a better understanding of the subject.
In what sense does it matter for your life? If it matters because you want to do molecular biology, than it makes sense to understand evolution on a deeper level.
That’s a good point. I suppose it has no practical implications for me, except that I’d like to have an accurate model of how the Universe works. Although if I were a young-earth creationist, it would have mattered a lot.
But let’s take global warming. That one does matter in a practical sense.
When it comes to global warming there are two separete issues.
The first is talking about global warming. It’s good for a society is a broad public debates important issues.
On the personal level however the significance of being wrong about global warming is relatively low for most people. Given that’s low you can just go with what your favorite authority says. If you however work in a field where it’s not low, I would again recommend that you get a better understanding of the subject.