Ajahn Dhammasiha reflects on teachings of the Buddha in 'Cankī Sutta' (MN #95): What spiritual teachings are appealing to us, or what kind of opinions, views, theories we're attracted to, is not normally determined by the factual truthfulness of that teaching or view. Instead, it's usually one of the following five reasons:

1. We simply have faith
2. We like it, it feels good, it's emotionally agreeable to us
3. We accept it on the basis of tradition/authority
4. We accept it as it's reasonable, intellectually appealing, logical
5. We accept it based on reflective contemplation and intuition

Unfortunately, either of the five can turn out right or wrong:

• Although we have faith, the teaching/view could still be false and unwholesome.
• Even if we have no faith, it could be true and beneficial.

Same with the other four reasons. In order to figure out which teaching, or data, or scientific paper, or view, or information to trust, the Buddha recommends a different approach: We investigate the qualities of the person or institution who is the source of that teaching or data.

• If the person expounding the teaching manifests the defilements of greed, hatred and delusion, whatever theories, data and 'fact' coming from that person or institution is not reliable or trustworthy.
• On the other hand, the teachings or data coming from someone free from desire, aversion and delusion is highly trustworthy.

Therefore, if we want to know what information, teaching or data to trust, we investigate the quality of the person or institution where it's coming from:

• If the person or institution is corrupt, even if famous, powerful, or with big titles and degrees, the teaching or data is likely corrupt as well.
• If the person or instituion is free from corruption, the teaching or data is likely trustworthy as well.

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