The fact is that people would rather cling when they're afraid of something to a priori beliefs than rather open their minds about it.

There is a maxim about the universe which I always tell my students: That which is not explicitly forbidden is guaranteed to occur.

As a scientist, I don't believe anything. Science shouldn't use the word belief. There are things more likely and less likely. Science can say nothing with absolute certainty.

The fact is that people would rather cling when they're afraid of something to a priori beliefs than rather open their minds about it.

The really important thing is learning how to sceptically question and rely on empirical evidence.

Empirical explorations ultimately change our understanding of which questions are important and fruitful and which are not.

When a person's religious beliefs cause him to deny the evidence of science, or for whom public policy morphs into a battle with the devil, shouldn't that be a subject for discussion and debate?