Extraordinary Claims Need Extraordinary Proof The Carl Sagan Standard

“Extraordinary claims need extraordinary proof,” a saying often credited to Carl Sagan, highlights a fundamental scientific and critical thinking principle.

It means that if someone makes an unlikely or unusual claim, they need solid and convincing evidence to support it. Such claims, which go against what is typically accepted or expected, demand more rigorous proof because they challenge our current understanding and could significantly change our beliefs.

This concept is vital in science and skepticism, urging people to carefully scrutinize unusual claims and demanding more substantial evidence for ideas that differ from well-established scientific principles. In essence, Sagan’s phrase reminds us that claims challenging the norm require more compelling evidence to be credible.

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