Which of the following statements about skepticism is correct?
A) Skepticism about a claim is generally unnecessary if the person making the claim is an authority on the topic.
B) Skepticism in science is the willingness to accept an idea without empirical evidence.
C) Skepticism means always refusing to believe the claims of authorities in the field.
D) Good scientists must balance skepticism and openness to new ideas.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Good scientists should be skeptical of claims and ideas, but they must also be open to new evidence and ideas. Balancing skepticism with openness is crucial for advancing scientific knowledge. Therefore, option D is the correct statement about skepticism. Option A is incorrect because authority does not always guarantee accuracy, and skepticism is necessary regardless of the person's status. Option B is incorrect because skepticism in science requires empirical evidence to support an idea, not the other way around. Option C is incorrect because rejecting all claims from authorities would be an extreme stance that ignores the possibility of trustworthy sources.

Which of the Following Statements About Skepticism Is Correct