Created Controversies and How to Detect Them, Essay Example

When doubt is cast over scientific conclusions rather than denying these claims altogether, it allows the potential for these claims to be revisited in other contexts. Furthermore, by completely denying these claims, groups are able to create controversy in a manner that will persuade others to find evidence that contradicts their arguments. Thus, it is more beneficial for groups to create doubt because this will ultimately allow their point of view to appear more accurate to others due to the protections offered by this decision. According to the passage, “We can leave room for the possibility that non-experts may offer critical objections to the prevailing attitude of the experts, hence that these cast serious doubt over scientific consensus”. Therefore, it is important to avoid denying possibility because doing so weakens all arguments, whether they agree with or contradict with the statement put forth by a group.

The value of doubt is emphasized in a tobacco industry document, which states, “Doubt is our product since it is the best means of competing with the body of fact that exists in the mind of the general public. It is also the means of establishing a controversy.” In the 1960s when this document was released, the medical field did not have the knowledge present today concerning the health of tobacco products. Thus, the tobacco company appears to be implying that consumers should trust them because while we are not certain that these products are healthy, there is no absolute proof that they will cause harm. As a consequence, this provides a concrete example demonstrating that it is better for tobacco companies to create doubt about facts surrounding their product, rather than claiming that it is healthy. By doing so, this organization would open themselves up to criticism that would cause a negative reputation. As worded, this document appears to support the use of tobacco products in an interesting manner.