Scientists are wrong all the time. The only difference is if you show them proof they are wrong, they will change their minds, instead of killing you.
This brings up an important angle for discussion. Let’s all keep in mind that we can’t separate the “ideal” of pure science’ from the reality of the military/industrial complex in which it is nowadays hopelessly entangled, and all the machinations and intrigue that goes along with that.
Whether or not people are still assassinated for “scientific heresy” by the military industrial complex is a can of worms, and a topic left for another thread, lest this one get way off track, suffice it to say that entertaining any such possibilities will immediately get one branded a “conspiracy theorist” and summarily dismissed on that basis alone regardless of any facts of the matter.
So let’s focus instead on whether or not scientists will admit that they are wrong if shown proof. Frankly, this is nothing but a modern myth. Much depends on how well accepted and long standing belief in the old theory happens to be. Lot’s of petty human emotions and frailties come into play here.
If, for instance, a scientist has spent lots of money on his or her education, learning the old paradigm, then to admit that paradigm might be wrong is to admit that they wasted all that time and money. And if a scientist has written books and given lectures expanding on the old paradigm then he or she is likely to feel as if their entire career has been wasted if they have to admit they were wrong, not to mention losing face -and all that money and prestige that they would otherwise continue to accrue in the future.
In short, let’s not put science and scientists on a pedestal and accord them the same infallible status heretofore reserved for some religious leaders, and in the process, forget to think critically for ourselves.
