On 3/9/2014 2:40 PM, LizR wrote:
On 10 March 2014 10:20, meekerdb <meeke...@verizon.net
<mailto:meeke...@verizon.net>> wrote:
On 3/9/2014 1:46 PM, LizR wrote:
On 10 March 2014 02:15, Edgar L. Owen <edgaro...@att.net
<mailto:edgaro...@att.net>> wrote:
Russell,
Yes, but that is crazy because it assumes all theories are equally
valid with
which I disagree. Science selects theories based on which best explain
the
observable universe.
This is true. David Deutsch argues for this view convincingly in "The
Fabric of
Reality". (Russell and Brent are not disputing this view as a practical
approach, I
think, they are just pointing out that there are metaphysical assumptions
built
into it....unless they correct me on this.)
Deutsch pushes it strongly in "The Beginning of Infinity", but I have some
reservations about his emphasis. I think what makes a theory good is
multidimensional: predictive power, scope, testability, and consilience.
It seems
that Deutsch recognizes these factors as part of what makes a good
explanation, but
"explanation" invites an interpretation of "psychological satisfaction".
Many
people think "God did it." is a great explanation because it works as
psychological
satisfaction. It's got lots of scope, works every time, and is consilient
with
almost everything. It just fails miserably on predictive power and
testability. I
know Deutsch doesn't mean it this way, but it's why I don't like his
emphasis on the
word "explanation" over the more neutral "theory".
But are you happy with what he says apart from his nomenclature?
(If so, I guess his explanation has achieved "psychological satisfaction"...)
"God did it" isn't a theory or an explanation unless it goes into more depth about what
God is, why it exists and how it does things, and uses these details to make some
testable predictions that will separate it out from other theories (Allah did it, Zeus
did it, Odin did it, Amaterasu did it, etc). Actually GDI has a whole raft of
predictions about how God will take care of his chosen group, how he will end the world
in, er, some time soon, how he created the world in 7 days, how he will intercede if you
pray hard enough, etc.
None of which so far appear to have been borne out, making GDI both testable and
fallible, also tested and failed.
The predictions have all failed, but the *explanations* are batting a thousand. There's a
whole industry called apologia turning them out as needed.
Brent
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