The Paradox of Belief in Science: A Proposal for Reconciliation
The phrase “I believe in science” presents a paradox, blending subjective belief with the evidence-based scientific method. Science is a dynamic, self-correcting process driven by empiricism, falsifiability, and peer review. However, the phrase often reflects trust in institutions rather than direct engagement with the scientific process and its elements. This paper explores how framing science as an iterative process, rather than a set of absolute truths, can improve evidence-based communication. Emphasizing methodology over belief can promote critical engagement with scientific discourse, resolving the paradox and promoting a deeper public understanding of science as an evolving pursuit of knowledge.
Authors
- Amarasinghe Arachchige Don Nalin Samandika Saparamadu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7829-8642)
- Lawrence J. Cheskin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0262-1030)
- Oshozimhede E Iyalomhe
Institutions
- University of Maryland, Baltimore (US)
- Johns Hopkins University (US)
- George Mason University (US)
- Johns Hopkins Medicine (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Science Communication
- Published
- 2025-06-13
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1177/10755470251345694
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Climate Change Communication and Perception
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 4.20