A scientist goes to a large international conference and hears about a new discovery. The scientist is very excited about these new findings and decides to verify the other scientists' results by conducting her own investigations. The scientist is being open-minded but ____

Skeptical

What are your choices? What is your answer?

The scientist is being open-minded but skeptical.


When the scientist decides to conduct her own investigations to verify the other scientists' results, she is demonstrating an open-mindedness by considering the possibility that the new discovery might be valid. However, she is also being skeptical by taking a critical approach and not immediately accepting the findings as true without further evidence.

Being open-minded means being receptive to new ideas, perspectives, and evidence. It involves considering possibilities that may challenge or differ from one's existing beliefs or assumptions. In this case, the scientist is open-minded by acknowledging the potential validity of the new discovery and taking it seriously enough to perform her own investigations.

However, being skeptical means approaching the new findings with a healthy dose of doubt or reservation. It involves carefully evaluating the evidence and critically analyzing the claims made by others. Skepticism is an important aspect of the scientific method, as it ensures that conclusions are based on solid evidence and not solely on trust or opinion.

By combining open-mindedness with skepticism, the scientist is adopting a balanced approach to the new discovery. She remains receptive to the possibility of it being true while also maintaining a critical mindset to ensure the robustness of the findings.