Over the past few decades, public discourse has taken the form of opinion, as though that is the conclusion, when it is only the start. This phenomenon is quite strange given that we have more information than anytime in human history with the fastest and easiest transmission of that information than anytime in human history. But people seem to think they can make statements without any reference to that vast electronic library that would accurately support their viewpoint.
Opinion and what appears to be common sense assessment are not enough. What is missing is the scientific method. You know, that thing that has led us to the greatest developments in human civilization.
Several centuries ago, it was the opinion of doctors that bloodletting was a good medical treatment. It was also the majority opinion that certain people were witches. Those unfortunate to be subjected to that opinion were often tortured and killed. These were false claims. The scientific method put an end to those opinions.
A few decades ago, President Bush had the opinion that we had to invade Iraq to destroy their “weapons of mass destruction”. We invaded but did not find any. The evidence was false.
In recent news, there are statements made about health medicines and vaccines. Some of these seem to be inaccurate due to faulty reasoning.
As you can tell, opinion without the scientific method can be very dangerous. In fact, without the scientific method, it can be deception, intentional or by mistake. Just watch the news.
So let us review the scientific method:
Claim – opinion, statement. Note that it is the beginning, not the end.
Evidence – reports, facts, research, documentation, etc. related to the claim.
Reasoning – the function of connecting the evidence to the claim in a rational, logical way.
This process is the foundation of progress. For it to be successful and productive, it is necessary to provide: truthful information, disclosure and transparency and most importantly free speech and freedom of the press. These are paramount.
So if your opinion is that we are in an autocracy, then in a democracy, you are obligated to provide the evidence and logic of such.
If your opinion is that an election was not accurate, then in a democracy, you are obligated to provide the evidence to prove that claim.
If your opinion is that something is a con or hoax, then in a democracy, you are obligated to provide full disclosure and transparency to prove your claim.
If your opinion is that there is no starvation or genocide in Gaza, then in a democracy you are obligated to allow the media in, not keep them out, so they can research and document your claim.
If your opinion is that serious criminals need to be arrested and deported, then in a democracy, you need to provide the statistics to prove your claim. Further, if any discrepancies within that group, you are obligated to explain and modify your announcements and advertising.
If your opinion is that certain medications and vaccines are dangerous, in a democracy, you are obligated to provide the research to show the accuracy of your claim. Further, if you state certain medical procedures, like vaccines, should be a personal choice, without government involvement, you are obligated to document the history that led to government mandates. Further, since personal choice in this matter could have a significant effect, possibly death to thousands, you are obligated to explain why personal choice on abortion should have government involvement.
If you opinion is that democracy is disappearing, then you need to work fast because without democracy, there is no scientific method.
Opinion, by itself, is the end of the Age of Enlightenment and the beginning of a new Dark Ages.