REALL News - Vol 05 No 12 - 1997

Magazine Overview

The REALL News, Volume 5, Issue 12, December 1997. This issue features an article titled "Sincerity: An Overrated Virtue" by Lewis Jones, a science writer from the U.K. The cover includes a quote from James Randi: "It's a very dangerous thing to believe in nonsense."

Sincerity: An Overrated Virtue by Lewis Jones

The article by Lewis Jones critically examines the concept of sincerity, particularly as it is applied to claims within the paranormal and pseudoscientific fields. Jones begins by contrasting historical spiritualist mediums with contemporary ones. In the past, mediums who produced physical objects (apports) were often dismissed as deliberate frauds. Today, however, practitioners have moved into less easily verifiable areas such as astrology, tarot card reading, faith healing, homeopathy, and reflexology, or make vague claims about untestable energies. This shift makes it more difficult to discern between a conscious fake and someone who is genuinely deluded but sincere.

Jones argues that the common tendency to accept claims as valid if the claimant is sincere is problematic. He asserts that "sincerity, like patriotism, is not enough," and that the "pixilated little old lady" who is sincere but wrong is still a fraud. He is concerned with how sincerity is used as an excuse for malpractice, regardless of whether there is a deliberate intent to defraud.

To support his argument, Jones quotes E. Haldeman-Julius from "The Outline of Bunk" (1929), who stated that "sincerity" joined with "ill thought and ill will" or lacking intelligence is "one of the most dangerous things in this world." Haldeman-Julius points out that the sincerity of persecutors did not mitigate the suffering of their victims, such as heretics burned at the stake or Voltaire forced into exile.

Jones illustrates the danger with a hypothetical scenario: if he sincerely believes he can cure a child's ruptured spleen by praying, and this belief diverts the parents from seeking simple surgery, he becomes a "public menace." He explains that naked sincerity often sees its beliefs as exempt from the need for testing, which is detrimental to discovering truth. He references Antony Flew, who questioned the credibility of businesses or sports teams that claim to operate for profit or to win but do not keep accounts or scores, implying that professions require evidence and measurable outcomes.

Aaron Wildavsky is cited for his observation that in a world ruled by sincere but unfounded beliefs, science would be replaced by personal testimony, and truth would be equated with personal authenticity. This would lead to sincerity replacing science.

Philosopher Paul Feyerabend's view is presented, suggesting that the distinction between a crank and a respectable thinker lies in the research conducted after a viewpoint is adopted. Cranks tend to defend their original ideas without testing their usefulness or admitting problems, whereas respectable thinkers engage in rigorous research.

John F. Kennedy's inaugural address is quoted for the simple assertion: "Sincerity is always subject to proof."

Jones uses a vivid analogy of a jumbo jet pilot who, despite having no training, sincerely believes he can fly the plane, to highlight the absurdity and danger of relying solely on sincerity. He then quotes Oscar Wilde: "A little sincerity is a dangerous thing, and a great deal of it is absolutely fatal."

Finally, Jones invokes Abraham Lincoln's principle that "he who makes an assertion without knowing whether it is true or false is guilty of falsehood, and the accidental truth of the assertion does not justify or excuse him." This underscores the importance of truth and justification over mere sincerity.

The article concludes by noting that Lewis Jones is a science writer in the U.K. and that this piece was originally published in the September 1997 issue of Skeptical Briefs and is reprinted with permission.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this issue is the critical examination of sincerity as a basis for belief and action, particularly in areas outside of established science. The REALL News, through Lewis Jones's article, adopts a skeptical stance, emphasizing the necessity of evidence, proof, and critical thinking over mere personal conviction. The editorial stance clearly favors a scientific and evidence-based approach, viewing unfounded sincerity as potentially dangerous and a form of malpractice or delusion.