The merits of various vaccines have been verified, the role of evolution in biodiversity has been clarified, and anthropogenically-induced global warming, well — is still being debated. But why is scientific authority challenged by skeptics in many corners? Sociologist Harry Collins of Cardiff University, Wales, contends that this trend lies in a misunderstanding of expertise itself. Why should the average person admit that scientists might know better than they do? Collins points to contributions made by those with interactional expertise and tacit knowledge as the pinnacle of scientific probity. Certainly debate is a major part of the scientific process, but is science being undermined by a large dose of skepticism — or is caution wise?
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