577. Debunking the Myths: What Science Is and Isn't feat. James C. Zimring

In this episode of the unSILOed podcast, Greg LaBlanc interviews James Zimring, a professor of pathology and immunology and a philosopher of science, about his books, "What Science Is and How It Really Works" and "Partial Truths, How Fractions Distort Our Thinking." Zimring discusses the logical and philosophical underpinnings of scientific knowledge claims, the growing divide between science and the public, and the importance of understanding what scientists mean when they say they know something. The conversation explores the nature of science, its similarities and differences from ordinary thinking, the role of observation and experimentation, the concept of causation, and the challenges of hypothesis testing. They also touch on the importance of diverse viewpoints, the limitations of de-biasing, and the social aspects of science, including the need for scientists to acknowledge the potential for error and the messy, iterative nature of scientific discovery.