Scientific Conservatism

An attitude which disposes a scientist to maintain acceptance of a current (and previously properly-established†) theory or view, until an alternative, competing, or new proposal amasses strong support sufficient to warrant revising one's view. Sometimes portrayed as ‘close-mindedness’ by opponents of science or critics of scientists, the matter turns on the twin key points of the currently accepted view being “properly-established” and the nature and quality of the evidence adduced for the alternative proposed.

This also assumes that the alternative is testable and superior in the following respects:

èfruitfulness: predicting new or novel results not predicted by currently-accepted theory;

èscope: explaining and predicting a greater diversity and expanse of phenomena;

èsimplicity: being simpler, or at the very least no more complex or complicated than currently-accepted theory.

The more conservative an hypothesis - that is, one contradicting fewer things which are well-verified - the more acceptable is such an hypothesis.

† see: scientific approach.

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