Feb 24 • 17:10 UTC 🇧🇷 Brazil Folha (PT)

Science is not natural in humans

The article discusses the limitations of human reasoning in scientific thinking, emphasizing that humans are often guided by personal biases rather than methodical scientific approaches.

The article examines the role of human reasoning in the realm of science, particularly questioning whether the notion of humans as 'natural scientists', as suggested by Piaget, holds true. It argues that individuals, regardless of age, typically do not engage in scientific thinking; instead, they often rely on personal biases, tribal loyalties, and cognitive traps like confirmation bias. These tendencies may hinder the adoption of a scientific mindset, which is crucial for objective reasoning and discovery.

Furthermore, the piece discusses the implications of these cognitive biases on the scientific community itself. It suggests that even scientists are not immune to these psychological vulnerabilities, leading some to argue that knowledge production is inherently a social endeavor. In this context, rival groups often aim to debunk one another’s theories, thus influencing what is accepted as scientific truth and demonstrating how the process of scientific inquiry can be shaped by social dynamics rather than purely empirical evidence.

Ultimately, the article raises important questions about how scientific inquiry functions in a world where subjectivity often prevails over objectivity. It suggests that for true scientific progress, awareness of these human limitations is necessary, as is the need to cultivate an environment where scientific methods can be employed effectively, devoid of personal bias and societal pressure.

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