You Are Now Less Dumb: The Common Belief Fallacy and The Scientific Method

A set of QUESTION_AND_ANSWER flashcards covering the common belief fallacy, the scientific method, historical examples, and the takeaway from the lecture notes.

What is the Common Belief Fallacy (Latin: argumentum ad populum) in brief?

The mistaken idea that a belief is true simply because most people believe it.

Why is consensus not a reliable indicator of truth?

Belief is not inherently more accurate just because many people share it; large consensus can still be wrong.

Which historical belief about bodily humors is used as an example of common-belief influence?

The idea that health and sickness depended on balancing black bile, yellow bile, phlegm, and blood.

What does the fan death story in the notes illustrate about belief and evidence?

A widely held belief persisted despite lack of evidence; personal experiments and cross-cultural checks can debunk myths, though beliefs may linger (e.g., Korea’s safety devices for fans).

What role does the scientific method play in combating the common belief fallacy?

It seeks disconfirming evidence, tests hypotheses, and is self-correcting, aiming to strip away narrative bias to get closer to the truth.

What did Francesco Redi's 1668 experiment demonstrate?

Meat kept in sealed containers did not generate life; life appeared only in open air, challenging spontaneous generation and promoting empirical testing.

What was the phlogiston theory, and what replaced it?

Phlogiston was hypothesized as a substance in burning materials; its theory was replaced by the understanding that combustion involves oxidation and oxygen.

What did Louis Pasteur contribute to the science of debunking spontaneous generation?

His experiments further disproved spontaneous generation and helped establish germ theory, reinforcing the need for disconfirming evidence.

Why did ideas like hand washing take a long time to be accepted in medicine?

New ideas challenged prevailing beliefs, and the medical community resisted changes for decades even when evidence showed benefits.

What is a null hypothesis and why is it important in science?

A baseline assumption used to test against; scientists seek evidence that could disprove it, fostering skepticism and rigorous testing.

How are data and narratives related in scientific practice, according to the notes?

Data are exposed as raw facts; scientists aim to reduce or remove narrative bias, letting data clash with conclusions over time.

What is the overarching takeaway implied by “YOU ARE NOW LESS DUMB”?

By applying the scientific method and seeking disconfirming evidence, you can reduce self-delusion and become more intelligent about beliefs.