Richard said:
"50% of the population believe in telepathy, and about 30% in ghosts. Then there are UFOs, Big Foot, precognitive dreams,
psychic healing, paranormal effects of prayer, and angels, to name just a few. Having to explain why the evidence for each is unconvincing would be complicated and time consuming."
Atl at some point in their education children should be introduced to the idea that "belief" is a complicated word. What do people mean when they say they "believe" something?
If a child is to pursue certain careers he or she will need to understand the concept of "evidence" and what makes evidence "convincing"? The skill of thinking critically is needed every day in some lines of work. In others critical thinking seems to be discouraged. None of us base our decisions about what to believe entirely on evidence.
Is education and the media in Britain succeeding in encouraging evidence-based decision-making? It is improving in this respect or getting worse?
Lesley
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