Science should care about opinions

I keep hearing experts say “science doesn’t care about your opinions” as a way of shutting down misinformation. And I think this problematic.

I understand the intent behind it, but I also think it oversimplifies something important. In reality, it’s completely okay for anyone to have an opinion, experts form and share opinions themselves regularly.

Where we need to be more thoughtful is in recognising that not all opinions are equally formed. Some are grounded in a deep understanding of evidence, methods, and context. Others are shaped by personal experience, values, or limited information. And most sit somewhere in between.

Even among experts, differences of opinion are common. That’s not a failure of science, it’s part of how knowledge develops, is critically evaluated and contextually applied. Sometimes those differences come down to how evidence is interpreted, how it’s applied in practice, or the weight given to different outcomes. Other times, they reflect underlying values, ethics, or biases.

But acknowledging this nuance doesn’t mean “anything goes” or that all opinions carry equal weight. But, instead of role-modelling disrespect for different opinions, we could show people how to critically evaluate them.
For example, by asking: What is this opinion based on?

Because this is a two way street: while non-expert opinions can be uninformed, expert opinions can sometimes be disconnected from the realities of different people’s lives.

If we want better conversations (in nutrition, in science, and beyond) curiosity and critical thinking are powerful places to start.
Curiosity about evidence.
Curiosity about context.
Curiosity about lived experience.
Not to undermine expertise, but to understand it more fully — and to apply it more meaningfully.
Perhaps the goal isn’t to eliminate opinions, but to build the skills to examine them.