195k views
0 votes
At times, accepted beliefs can overturn evidence gathered from observations.
True
False

1 Answer

2 votes

Answer:

True

Step-by-step explanation:

At times, accepted beliefs can indeed overturn evidence gathered from observations. This phenomenon is known as confirmation bias, where individuals tend to favor information that confirms their existing beliefs and disregard or discount evidence that contradicts those beliefs.

This cognitive bias can hinder scientific progress and the pursuit of truth, as it can lead to the dismissal or suppression of evidence that challenges established beliefs or theories.

An example of this can be seen in the history of science, where prevailing beliefs and theories have been overturned by new evidence. One famous example is the heliocentric model of the solar system proposed by Nicolaus Copernicus, which challenged the long-held geocentric model. Despite strong observational evidence supporting the heliocentric model, it took time for the scientific community to accept it due to the resistance from prevailing beliefs and established authorities.

Therefore, it is important to critically evaluate and reassess beliefs in light of new evidence, as accepted beliefs should not be immune to scrutiny or revision based on observations.

User Spiro
by
7.4k points