Scientific Consensus: Is It Safe to Rely On?

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Scientific consensus is not immutable and can evolve as new evidence emerges, raising questions about the reliability of decisions based on current consensus. While consensus reflects the best conclusions drawn from available evidence, it may not always represent the most accurate understanding, especially if better evidence has not yet been accepted. The validity of scientific consensus hinges on the premise that it is based on the strongest evidence available, which, while generally reasonable, is not guaranteed. This highlights the importance of remaining open to new data and perspectives in scientific discourse.
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Scientific consensus as described by Wiki,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_consensus

Is not some thing that is set in stone, as at the bottom of the wiki article shows SC can change, so is it safe to make decisions on the findings of SC?
 
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We have to make decisions based on something, so if not on the best conclusions we can draw from the evidence available at the time, then what?
 
matthyaouw said:
We have to make decisions based on something, so if not on the best conclusions we can draw from the evidence available at the time, then what?

Is it true that the evidence is the best available at the time, the consensus was the best at the time, but where SC changed there was better evidence, it had just not been accepted.
 
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Consensus science is only valid if the premise that whatever is scientific consensus is that which is best supported by the evidence is true (which is often a reasonable premise, but not necessarily always true).
 
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