Scientific consensus Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Scientific consensus is agreement among scientists that a given hypothesis or theory is true. This generally is the result of researchers repeating the experiments of others and getting the same results; in the scientific community, even a single credible failure to reproduce results is considered the death knell of a theory. See scientific method and peer review.Science fiction author and film producer Michael Crichton maintains that the concept of scientific consensus is susceptible to abuse:
- "I regard consensus science as an extremely pernicious development that ought to be stopped cold in its tracks. Historically, the claim of consensus has been the first refuge of scoundrels; it is a way to avoid debate by claiming that the matter is already settled. Whenever you hear the consensus of scientists agrees on something or other, reach for your wallet, because you're being had." [1]
This is generally the most parsimonious explanation of multiple plausible hypotheses. While these more complicated hypotheses may be plausible and scientists may not be completely comfortable with the prevailing hypothesis, no strong argument can be made for abandoning the prevailing hypothesis in favor of another one.
The concept figures in political discussions. The true value of a scientific theory or observation comes from repeatability and fertility of new ideas. However, the concept of consensus is a useful guide to research areas.
Public policy advocates often appeal to scientific consensus to settle various issues in the fields of health, safety and conservation, when that happens to suit their own argument. If the consensus runs against their argument, they will ignore or belittle it.