Subjective experience is often considered less credible than scientific evidence due to several reasons:
Bias and individual differences: Subjective experiences are highly influenced by personal biases, beliefs, and emotions. People have different perspectives, interpretations, and subjective filters through which they perceive and remember events. This can introduce significant variability and inconsistencies in subjective accounts, making them less reliable as a source of objective truth.
Limited scope and generalizability: Subjective experiences are often limited to the individual or a small group of people. They represent a narrow perspective and may not capture the broader patterns or trends that can be established through scientific research. Scientific studies, on the other hand, aim to gather data from diverse populations, use rigorous methodologies, and employ statistical analyses to determine the generalizability of findings.
Confirmation bias: People tend to give more weight to subjective experiences that confirm their existing beliefs and dismiss or downplay those that contradict them. This confirmation bias can lead to subjective experiences being selectively shared or emphasized, skewing the overall perception of a particular phenomenon. Scientific research, on the other hand, strives to minimize bias by using controlled conditions, blind studies, peer review, and replication.
Illusions and fallibility of memory: Human memory is not infallible and is subject to various biases and distortions. Memories can be influenced by factors like suggestion, emotional state, and the passage of time. Therefore, relying solely on subjective experiences as evidence can be problematic, as memories can be unreliable and easily influenced by external factors.
Objective measurement and repeatability: Scientific evidence is based on systematic observation, experimentation, and objective measurement. It allows for replication of experiments and verification by independent researchers. This process helps ensure the reliability and validity of the findings, as well as provides a framework for building cumulative knowledge over time.
While subjective experiences can provide valuable insights into individual perspectives, emotions, and personal narratives, they are generally considered less credible than scientific evidence when it comes to establishing objective facts and understanding the world in a more generalizable and reliable manner.