Basically, a test to see if someone only knows conformist ideas or if they're capable of seeing alternative perspectives?
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"Do you believe in science" is a tricky one, because when spoken aloud, you cannot hear the capitalization you added. I believe in science, as in, I believe in the process of trial and observation of results and drawing limited conclusions from said observations, that such a concept exists. I believe in it. I believe in horses, too. And in gravel roadways, even if superior roadways exist, I still believe they also exist in tandem.
Believing in science, and believing in Science, are two very different things.
It's context, though. Again, science isn't something you 'believe' in, exactly, and you wouldn't normally phrase it that way; and anyone asking that is obviously putting the capitalization on, and is obviously an NPC.
Just like how you should do a double take if someone asked if, per your example, you believed in horses. The phrasing of the 'science' question, as well as the current cultural zeitgeist, makes it a good shit test.
Would you really answer "yes" if someone asked if you believed in science? Without any specification about scientific method or anything?
I would reply "like... the concept of it?" and then clarify, much like I just did, at the risk the person I'm talking to is a psycho-lefty or combat-NPC trying to check a shibboleth. The correct answer is neither yes nor no, but requesting further details, regardless of whether you're trying to check their own opinions in why they'd ask such a question in the first place, though.
Language matters. That's why the left perverts it so often.
Which is what I said. If someone answers "yes" they're an NPC, that's all I said.