Science, pseudoscience and the facts of climate change

Monte Heil (Nov. 21, 2024, Daily Bee) falsely claims I said “science proves we are in a climate crisis.” The word “prove” is used in mathematics and logic to signify absolute truth. Scientists eschew the word because scientific information is always incomplete and their findings are, therefore, provisional. Science can show a high probability that something is true. But it cannot “prove” it with unquestionable certainty.

A falling rock is an observed phenomenon. Gravitational theories attempt to explain why/how it falls. Such scientific theories are always provisional — “acceptable in the existing situation but subject to change or nullification.”

He has consistently characterized the findings of modern science as “junk science.” I've provided numerous mainstream scientific sources to support my position regarding global warming: National Academy of Sciences, National Science Foundation, NASA, NOAA, NCSE, etc.

He accuses these organizations of promoting pseudoscience. I asked him to provide his scientific credentials to judge his qualifications for making such brazen accusations. He declined, saying that he didn't want to brag about his education. He needn't brag. He just needs to describe his scientific training.

He is a big fan of common sense. Unfortunately, common sense is susceptible to personal cognitive biases that science strives to eliminate. (Search “We can't trust common sense but we can trust science.”)

He asks, “Is it 'provisional' that Jack DeBaun actually exists?” Of course, it is. When I die I will cease to exist as a living being. My existence depends on “provisional” factors now keeping me alive. 

JACK DeBAUN

Dover