Âé¶¹´«Ã½

Letter: The importance of scepticism to science

Published 7 January 2026

From Robert Morley, London, UK

In your leader article, you write that from “vaccine sceptics at the heart of the US government to the continued global paralysis when it comes to climate action, science has been under siege in 2025”, and that those “who believe in rationality and evidence must continue to fight back against the encroaching darkness” (13/20 December 2025, p 8).

I agree that evidence and reason matter deeply. However, true science advances not by insulating accepted views from challenge, but by subjecting them to it. By testing assumptions and welcoming scepticism, science corrects error, deepens understanding and avoids consensus ossifying into dogma.

Issue no. 3577 published 10 January 2026

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with Âé¶¹´«Ã½ events and special offers.

Sign up
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop