The following are quotes from Krimel's digest of
March 9th, with comments intercalated. I'd like to
comment separately on the question of Science and
Values, so that it won't be lost between other quotes
and comments in what looks to be a long response to
Krimel's various observations.
=====
Krimel: Also I disagree with David M in our usually
yeah, but... sort of way. To my
way of think the scientific view is not so much
"value-free" as "regardless
of value". Scientists are attempting to isolate
patterns of value that hold
regardless of what the observer thinks."
Jorge: I very much agree with Krimel when he says that
the scientific view is not so much "value free" as
"regardless of value". This is not merely playing with
words but an important distinction; if we could all
agree on it quite a number of pointless discussions
would be avoided.
This being "regardless of value" or "unconcerned with
value" pertains of course to scientists in-Science and
not as individuals immersed in their societies. This
is exemplified by the large body of writings of
scientists writing 'ex-catedra' on value- loaded
subjects like Religion, Ethics, the Purpose of Life,
etc. etc. a concern that continued uninterrupted from
Newton to Einstein down to illustrious contemporary
scientists.
Said literature clearly indicates that being
"thoroughly exposed" to Science does not negatively
influence scientists making them unconcerned with
values. Why then Science exert a negative influence
in this respect to Society at large?
The thing is then, not that scientists, as persons,
are unconcerned with values but that Science, as a
method of enquiry into the world, has nothing to offer
to this question. Nothing to offer because Science is
limited; it does not enquire into the whole world but
only on a part of the world accessible to the
scientific method. Which leads me to a question to
those that keep bringing up the subject of "Science
as valueless": would you like Science to have a say
(to approve or refute) regarding your personal set of
values?
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