Metz S Emlen, Weisberg Deena S, Weisberg Michael
Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley.
Department of Psychology & Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania.
Cogn Sci. 2018 Feb 1. doi: 10.1111/cogs.12584.
Why is evolutionary theory controversial among members of the American public? We propose a novel explanation: allegiance to different criteria for belief. In one interview study, two online surveys, and one nationally representative phone poll, we found that evolutionists and creationists take different justifications for belief as legitimate. Those who accept evolution emphasize empirical evidence and scientific consensus. Creationists emphasize not only the Bible and religious authority, but also knowledge of the heart. These criteria for belief remain predictive of views about evolution even when taking into account other related factors like religion, political affiliation, and education. Each view is supported by its own internally specified criteria for what constitutes a justified belief. Changing minds may thus require changing epistemic norms.
为什么进化理论在美国公众中存在争议？我们提出了一种新颖的解释：对不同信仰标准的忠诚。在一项访谈研究、两项在线调查和一项具有全国代表性的电话民意调查中，我们发现进化论者和神创论者将不同的信仰理由视为合理的。接受进化论的人强调经验证据和科学共识。神创论者不仅强调《圣经》和宗教权威，还强调内心的认知。即使考虑到宗教、政治派别和教育等其他相关因素，这些信仰标准仍然可以预测对进化论的看法。每种观点都有其内部规定的关于什么构成合理信仰的标准作为支撑。因此，改变观点可能需要改变认知规范。
