When science and personal beliefs clash

Guests: Joel Achenbach and Brendan Nyhan

Many Americans are convinced that global warming exists, that vaccines are safe and effective, and that evolution is a fact. But despite the scientific proof offered, for some, there is still doubt and disagreement with research that supports those findings. What differentiates those who believe and accept science as fact with those who don’t? And how do we choose which science to believe and which to question? Washington Post science writer JOEL ACHENBACH explores this very question in his new National Geographic article “Why Do Many Reasonable People Doubt Science?” Dartmouth professor BRENDAN NYHAN studies how people develop opinions and attitudes about health care and politics. They both join us this morning to talk about what happens when science and personal beliefs clash.