Who is right and who is to say who is right: Week 2

Over the past several months the arguments and debates arise at school and in politics. One side says, "We are right, and whatever you say is completely wrong", another side says, "That group is ignorant and you can't believe anything they say." Who is right? Who has the final say so? These questions hardly ever come up in an actual debate. For example, some people argue whether global warming is truly the potential tragedy it is said to be on the news. One side says that it is because of the green house gases (carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrofluorocarbons, methane,sulfur hexafluoride, etc) in the earth's atmosphere that the Earth is getting warmer each year. So if one year it is hotter than normal it is considered global warming, so you would think that if it was cooler one year it would not be global warming? On the contrary, if it gets colder it is global warming or now referred to as "Climate Change." The defense of this instance is because of the melting of the polar ice caps, more cooler fresh water melts into the ocean causing the winds to pick up cool air instead of warm air. The other side of the argument is that over 10,000 years ago the polar ice caps were in the Great plains area but then "naturally" melted back, without automobile and power plants dumping carbon dioxide into the air. So which side is right? Both sides of the argument have a lot of data supporting their side, and their data is drawn up from respectable scientists. But each side says the other one is "lying" and that you should believe in our side instead.

I bring this up because arguments like these take place everyday. This causes "mud-slinging" at the opponent which can be detrimental to both sides. Who is to say that one side is more correct than the other? Who has the final say so in making something true? When we look into the past they were many ideas and FACTS that are now disproven, for example, the earth is round, and the sun revolves around the earth. Back in these times if you disagreed your social and political career would be gone and in some cases some people who killed for not believing in what the majority says.

As the years go by, new information about our planet and the universe help us understand more and more. Just because a majority of people think something is right, doesn't make it right, for example over 350 years ago, the majority of people thought slavery was fine, and many people owned slaves, but that definitely does not make it right.

In the end, who decides whether something is true or not, should it be up to a single person? the majority? or is it up to no one to make such a decision?