[FairfieldLife] Re: Pseudo-Science vs Anti-Science

2007-12-22 Thread ruthsimplicity

--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Larry [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 I am not anti-science - - I am suggesting that much of the
 intellectual findings of science don't impact me - - - for example, I
 know the earth is round, but for 99.9+% of my daily life
 activities, it makes no difference whether the world is flat or round.

 The issue of the flatness or roundness of the earth was historically
 of great importance to the pro and anti science peoples, and some lost
 their lives because of their positions - - but for the billions of
 average Joes like myself, the controversy doesn't amount to a hill of
 beans.

 Likewise, quantum mechanics may claim that the banana I had for
 breakfast is mostly empty space, but that fact has little bearing on
 the banana's comings and goings . . .

 I am not talking about the application of science in technology - but
 the intellectual discovery or resulting knowledge of the scientific
 process.   It has little impact for most people, then there are a few
 who appreciate science for its entertainment value - then there are
 the very few scientists themselves who are actually engaged in the
 research.

Well, yes and no.  Research on things like quantum mechanics has little
effect on me.  String theory debunked? Interesting, but only casually
so.  But some people are drawn to the language of  science and certain
scientific principles and use them incorrectly (pseudoscience).  This
can result in people making wrong decisions in their lives or justifying
decisions they already made.

When I was a college student I used help study blood pressure in mice
and mechanisms that could result in enlarged hearts.  None of it had
immediate effect on anyone's life.  However, what was learned there
could result in lines of blood pressure drugs being developed.  So what
was pure science becomes applied but really is of no interest to the
general public until it is applied.

Familiarity with how the scientific method works  is important in order
to evaluate science claims in real life. Of equal  importance is
understanding a bit how psychology works.  It is in our nature to want
answers even if no answers are yet apparent.  Interestingly, you will
find out a lot about scientific methodology  by studying psychology 101.

Ruth (who formerly did autopsies on mice)



[FairfieldLife] Re: Pseudo-Science vs Anti-Science

2007-12-22 Thread new . morning
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 Nice contribution!  I studied the philosophy of science a bit.  In my
 personal life I am trying to find a balance in how I relate to
 beliefs.  It seems to be a dance between trying to be rigorous in my
 thinking and still being open to what is not known.  I am still
 finding that balance.  I don't spend much time with the spiritual
 stuff anymore, but sorting out the growth of health beliefs draws my
 attention.  I end up being a bit ping ponged by the latest studies.
 
 So now for the question:  how do you apply these principles in
 choosing own personal beliefs?
 
Good question, one for which I have had a sustained interest. I'll
take a stab at this -- if for anything, to clarify my own thinking on it.

First, there is a distinction between a phenomenon in-itself, or
further, interaction of things, which by their very existence are
true . However, what one believes about the phenomenon or
interactions is based on shades of knowledge -- some lighter and some
darker. There will always be a chasm between objective reality and a
subjective appreciation or knowledge of that. Some would argue that
the former does not exist -- but thats another story, for another day.

I hold, at least for myself, that none of my beliefs are 100% true or
false. Subjective knowledge (of relative phenomenon and interactions)
will always be evolving, changing, refining, and be re-integrated into
larger wholes. Thus I look at all of my beliefs probabilistically. 

Per Turq's questions about self-evident, I suggest nothing is
self-evident -- as in my belief in this thing has 100% probability of
being  true. (And I perhaps don't always practice such -- though this
is a good exercise to root out core assumptions and axioms).

In regards to peer-reviewed processes, as an example, not a hard and
fast set of rules, I might use this probabilistic framework to assess
degrees of truthiness revealed by various intensities of research
and findings. 

Example:

5%   Non-published,  not peer-reviewed study by those with a vested
(material and emotional) interest in the outcome. This type of finding
may be a good exploratory first step -- lending justification for more
 rigorous studies. 

10% above but by independent researchers 

20% above, but 1-3 studies published in a third tier peer reviewed
journal.

30% above, but 3-5 studies published in a first tier peer reviewed
journal.

40% above, but 10 studies, 76% supporting the premise. And vigorous
subsequent debate and challenging of the research in in journals and
at conferences.  

50% above, but 30 studies in first tier journals, with 15 pro, 5 con.
Lots of buzz in scientific circles and high interest among many
scientists to get involved with research on such, find funding, get
published, etc.

60% above, but 50 studies across five separate, looking at the issue
with different methodologies and technologies. 

etc.

I view a lot of the TMO research hovering around the first three or so
categories.  My belief in the findings of such is in the 5-20% range. 
 




Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: Pseudo-Science vs Anti-Science

2007-12-22 Thread Angela Mailander
We can compare notes then.  I once did surgery on dogs.

- Original Message 
From: ruthsimplicity [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, December 22, 2007 7:56:32 AM
Subject: [FairfieldLife] Re: Pseudo-Science  vs  Anti-Science









  




--- In FairfieldLife@ yahoogroups. com, Larry [EMAIL PROTECTED] . wrote:

 I am not anti-science - - I am suggesting that much of the
 intellectual findings of science don't impact me - - - for example, I
 know the earth is round, but for 99.9+% of my daily life
 activities, it makes no difference whether the world is flat or round.
 
 The issue of the flatness or roundness of the earth was historically
 of great importance to the pro and anti science peoples, and some lost
 their lives because of their positions - - but for the billions of
 average Joes like myself, the controversy doesn't amount to a hill of
 beans.
 
 Likewise, quantum mechanics may claim that the banana I had for
 breakfast is mostly empty space, but that fact has little bearing on
 the banana's comings and goings . . . 
 
 I am not talking about the application of science in technology - but
 the intellectual discovery or resulting knowledge of the scientific
 process.   It has little impact for most people, then there are a few
 who appreciate science for its entertainment value - then there are
 the very few scientists themselves who are actually engaged in the
 research.
 
Well, yes and no.  Research on things like quantum mechanics has little effect 
on me.  String theory debunked? Interesting, but only casually so.  But some 
people are drawn to the language of  science and certain scientific principles 
and use them incorrectly (pseudoscience) .  This can result in people making 
wrong decisions in their lives or justifying decisions they already made.  

When I was a college student I used help study blood pressure in mice and 
mechanisms that could result in enlarged hearts.  None of it had immediate 
effect on anyone's life.  However, what was learned there could result in lines 
of blood pressure drugs being developed.  So what was pure science becomes 
applied but really is of no interest to the general public until it is applied. 
 

Familiarity with how the scientific method works  is important in order to 
evaluate science claims in real life. Of equal  importance is understanding a 
bit how psychology works.  It is in our nature to want answers even if no 
answers are yet apparent.  Interestingly, you will find out a lot about 
scientific methodology  by studying psychology 101. 

Ruth (who formerly did autopsies on mice)
 




  







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[FairfieldLife] Re: Pseudo-Science vs Anti-Science

2007-12-22 Thread ruthsimplicity
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Angela Mailander
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 We can compare notes then.  I once did surgery on dogs.
 
 I sure hope your dogs lived, my mice sure didn't.  Gave their lives
to science.  



[FairfieldLife] Re: Pseudo-Science vs Anti-Science

2007-12-22 Thread curtisdeltablues
Ruth (who formerly did autopsies on mice)

I am still looking for my perfect headstone epitaph.  I think you
nailed yours!





--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Angela Mailander
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 We can compare notes then.  I once did surgery on dogs.
 
 - Original Message 
 From: ruthsimplicity [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com
 Sent: Saturday, December 22, 2007 7:56:32 AM
 Subject: [FairfieldLife] Re: Pseudo-Science  vs  Anti-Science
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 --- In FairfieldLife@ yahoogroups. com, Larry inmadison@ . wrote:
 
  I am not anti-science - - I am suggesting that much of the
  intellectual findings of science don't impact me - - - for example, I
  know the earth is round, but for 99.9+% of my daily life
  activities, it makes no difference whether the world is flat or round.
  
  The issue of the flatness or roundness of the earth was historically
  of great importance to the pro and anti science peoples, and some lost
  their lives because of their positions - - but for the billions of
  average Joes like myself, the controversy doesn't amount to a hill of
  beans.
  
  Likewise, quantum mechanics may claim that the banana I had for
  breakfast is mostly empty space, but that fact has little bearing on
  the banana's comings and goings . . . 
  
  I am not talking about the application of science in technology - but
  the intellectual discovery or resulting knowledge of the scientific
  process.   It has little impact for most people, then there are a few
  who appreciate science for its entertainment value - then there are
  the very few scientists themselves who are actually engaged in the
  research.
  
 Well, yes and no.  Research on things like quantum mechanics has
little effect on me.  String theory debunked? Interesting, but only
casually so.  But some people are drawn to the language of  science
and certain scientific principles and use them incorrectly
(pseudoscience) .  This can result in people making wrong decisions in
their lives or justifying decisions they already made.  
 
 When I was a college student I used help study blood pressure in
mice and mechanisms that could result in enlarged hearts.  None of it
had immediate effect on anyone's life.  However, what was learned
there could result in lines of blood pressure drugs being developed. 
So what was pure science becomes applied but really is of no interest
to the general public until it is applied.  
 
 Familiarity with how the scientific method works  is important in
order to evaluate science claims in real life. Of equal  importance
is understanding a bit how psychology works.  It is in our nature to
want answers even if no answers are yet apparent.  Interestingly, you
will find out a lot about scientific methodology  by studying
psychology 101. 
 
 Ruth (who formerly did autopsies on mice)
  
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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[FairfieldLife] Re: Pseudo-Science vs Anti-Science

2007-12-22 Thread off_world_beings
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, ruthsimplicity 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 
 --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Larry inmadison@ wrote:
 
  I am not anti-science - - I am suggesting that much of the
  intellectual findings of science don't impact me - - - for 
example, I
  know the earth is round, but for 99.9+% of my daily life
  activities, it makes no difference whether the world is flat or 
round.
 
  The issue of the flatness or roundness of the earth was 
historically
  of great importance to the pro and anti science peoples, and some 
lost
  their lives because of their positions - - but for the billions of
  average Joes like myself, the controversy doesn't amount to a 
hill of
  beans.
 
  Likewise, quantum mechanics may claim that the banana I had for
  breakfast is mostly empty space, but that fact has little bearing 
on
  the banana's comings and goings . . .
 
  I am not talking about the application of science in technology - 
but
  the intellectual discovery or resulting knowledge of the 
scientific
  process.   It has little impact for most people, then there are a 
few
  who appreciate science for its entertainment value - then there 
are
  the very few scientists themselves who are actually engaged in the
  research.
 
 Well, yes and no.  Research on things like quantum mechanics has 
little
 effect on me.  String theory debunked? Interesting, but only 
casually
 so.  But some people are drawn to the language of  science and 
certain
 scientific principles and use them incorrectly (pseudoscience).  
This
 can result in people making wrong decisions in their lives or 
justifying
 decisions they already made.
 
 When I was a college student I used help study blood pressure in 
mice
 and mechanisms that could result in enlarged hearts.  None of it had
 immediate effect on anyone's life.  However, what was learned there
 could result in lines of blood pressure drugs being developed.  So 
what
 was pure science becomes applied but really is of no interest to the
 general public until it is applied.
 
 Familiarity with how the scientific method works  is important in 
order
 to evaluate science claims in real life. Of equal  importance is
 understanding a bit how psychology works.  It is in our nature to 
want
 answers even if no answers are yet apparent.  Interestingly, you 
will
 find out a lot about scientific methodology  by studying psychology 
101.

That is the methods that the Neocons, Fox News, and the anti-science 
crowd here on FFL life uses: If you don't like the results of science 
ignore it and use your own interpretation to refute it.

OffWorld

 
 Ruth (who formerly did autopsies on mice)





Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: Pseudo-Science vs Anti-Science

2007-12-22 Thread Angela Mailander
No, those dogs were killed.  The surgery didn't kill them, but they were 
radio-active, and you couldn't let radio-active dogs run around. I was in my 
teens back then, and got to assist my mom who was doing the surgeries.  I was 
told that this was all for the greater good, but to me the good wasn't great 
enough.  I never got used to that first incision, but after that, it was pretty 
academic. 

- Original Message 
From: ruthsimplicity [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, December 22, 2007 9:07:02 AM
Subject: [FairfieldLife] Re: Pseudo-Science  vs  Anti-Science









  



--- In FairfieldLife@ yahoogroups. com, Angela Mailander

mailander111@ ... wrote:



 We can compare notes then.  I once did surgery on dogs.

 

 I sure hope your dogs lived, my mice sure didn't.  Gave their lives

to science.  






  







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[FairfieldLife] Re: Pseudo-Science vs Anti-Science

2007-12-22 Thread Richard J. Williams
Ruth wrote: 
 May I ask, what is the posting format here?

It's best, Ruth, to be a top-poster and to include
the line you're responding to. That way, respondents 
don't have to scroll all the way to the bottom of 
the messages just to read a silly, one-liner sentence.

It best also, not to change the subject line, like 
a lot of informers do here, attempting to hijack
threads instead of starting their own threads.

Several posters like to use the enter key to format
their messages by making sentences short for easy
reading later. Judy and Barry like to do this: I 
always enjoy reading their well-formatted messages.
They learned through years and years of posting
to Usenet the proper form for messaging. 

Some other helpful hints:

1. Do not insult, flame, or otherwise abuse a TMer. 

2. Do not bait, troll, or lurk on FFL with intent 
to trip. 

Baiting is defined as posting with a clear intent 
to provoke anger. Trolling is posting incendiary 
messages with intent to form hostility. Lurking 
is behavior that results in trolling and baiting, 
then flaming. Tripping is laying your trip out, 
instead of getting on the TMer trip. 

Flaming is an attempt to cause a forum war or riot. 

3. Avoid redundant posts and always insure data 
integrity. 

Redundancy means do not post the same post over 
and over and over. Data integrity means using a 
spell-checker and a dictionary and making sure all 
hypertext links are current and valid. 

4. Spamming 

You are not supposed to spam a TMer. 

Spam includes, but is not limited to, the 
following: 

Excessive off-topic threads 
Posting nonsensical messages 
'Flooding' the forum with similar meaning messages 
Post-count farming mail listservs 
Blatant advertising and self-promotion 
Messages without content or subject line 
Using a persons name in the subject line 
Posing as another using their handle 

5. Privacy 

You are not supposed to post any form of real life 
information of a TMer unless they permit it by 
express consent. Examples of real life information 
include name, address, IP addresses, and phone 
numbers, place of employ, or Dome badge number. 

6. Miscellaneous 

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discussions with no other purpose than to disrupt 
TMer conversation and discussion. If you feel the 
need to say something, say it once and then move 
on or start your own thread. Avoid making every 
post begin with RE: and end on one line. 

e.g.: liar; you're nutso; wasssup; yo 
jackass; LOL; ROTFL; or ROTFLMAO; or Hey 
Tex, you asshole.  

Don't make up stuff. 

You are not supposed to bash the Maharishi - if 
you do, you will be taken to task. All TMers 
already know that Mahesh Prasad Varma was born on 
January 18, in the year 1917. Try to provide news 
that TMers can use, not information about how you 
visited another saint, swami, guru, or older woman 
named Ma or Fred.



[FairfieldLife] Re: Pseudo-Science vs Anti-Science

2007-12-22 Thread authfriend
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Richard J. Williams 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 Ruth wrote: 
  May I ask, what is the posting format here?

Ruth, Willytex (Richard J. Williams) is this forum's
very own troll. Don't pay any mind to what he says in
his reply to you; he's just making it up. Since you're
a newbie here, he thinks he can put one over on you.

For the authentic FairfieldLife guidelines, see the
group's home page on the Web:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife

As to top versus bottom posting, Willytex is right
about one thing: If you have only a short comment
on a long post, better to post it at the top. And
better still, just leave a few lines of the post
you're responding to and snip the rest.

But if you want to comment on various parts of the
post individually, quote the part you want to comment
on and put your response underneath.

Quote just enough of the post you're responding to
to give an idea of the context, and snip everything
else.

(The above is my advice, not the rules of the forum.)

And welcome! Glad you joined us.




[FairfieldLife] Re: Pseudo-Science vs Anti-Science

2007-12-22 Thread ruthsimplicity
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 
 
 And welcome! Glad you joined us.

Thank you for the welcome.  And here I started a whole new thread
because of the prior post on thread rules!  I kind of figured out what
you are saying, but one never knows until they ask.  

Ruth 



[FairfieldLife] Re: Pseudo-Science vs Anti-Science

2007-12-21 Thread ruthsimplicity
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Jason [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

  

 How many people in this forum Pseudo-science.??

 And how many are Anti-science.??

 How do you define both.??
 


I recently moved to town and found this forum.  I signed up mostly to
discuss this question. :)  The first question really is what is
science.  The Merriam Webster dictionary definition works for me:

http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/science

1: the state of knowing : knowledge as distinguished from ignorance
or misunderstanding
2 a: a department of systematized knowledge as an object of study the
science of theology b: something (as a sport or technique) that may
be studied or learned like systematized knowledge have it down to a
science
3 a: knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or the
operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through
scientific method b: such knowledge or such a system of knowledge
concerned with the physical world and its phenomena : natural science
4: a system or method reconciling practical ends with scientific laws
cooking is both a science and an art


My favored and the most specific definition which pertains to how
science is acquired is #3 3 a: knowledge or a system of knowledge
covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially as
obtained and tested through scientific method.  Of key importance is
that you acquire science through the scientific method of research.
(Briefly, principles and procedures for the systematic pursuit of
knowledge involving the recognition and formulation of a problem, the
collection of data through observation and experiment, and the
formulation and testing of hypotheses.}

Pseudoscience is also defined as a system of theories, assumptions,
and methods erroneously regarded as scientific.
http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/pseudoscience

If the scientific method is misused or conclusions misinterpreted,
that could result in pseudoscience.  For example, you develop a
hypothesis, do an experience, and do not disprove your hypothesis. 
This does not mean that your hypothesis is now science.  Maybe after
many experiments it might become science, but relying on one
experiment could very well result in pseudoscience.  Also, problems
with how you use the scientific method could also result in
pseudoscience.  Say the researcher had a strong bias or a financial
interest.  This could lead to erroneous conclusions and development of
a pseudoscientific theory.

Antiscience in my mind is the basic disbelief in the scientific method
as the way to develop knowledge about the physical world.  For
example, some creationists believe that the world is only a few
thousand years old, despite all the science to the contrary.  They do
not believe in carbon 14 dating or other scientific evidence.  

Nice to meet y'all.

ruth









[FairfieldLife] Re: Pseudo-Science vs Anti-Science

2007-12-21 Thread Jason
 
   
You have hit the nail right on the head.
   
Pseudo-science is basic disbelief in the scientific method.

ruthsimplicity [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
  Date: Sat, 22 Dec 2007 00:30:38 -
Subject: [FairfieldLife] Re: Pseudo-Science vs Anti-Science
   
   
  I recently moved to town and found this forum. I signed up mostly to
discuss this question. :) The first question really is what is
science. The Merriam Webster dictionary definition works for me:

http://www.m- w.com/dictionary /science

1: the state of knowing : knowledge as distinguished from ignorance
or misunderstanding
2 a: a department of systematized knowledge as an object of study the
science of theology b: something (as a sport or technique) that may
be studied or learned like systematized knowledge have it down to a
science
3 a: knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or the
operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through
scientific method b: such knowledge or such a system of knowledge
concerned with the physical world and its phenomena : natural science
4: a system or method reconciling practical ends with scientific laws
cooking is both a science and an art

My favored and the most specific definition which pertains to how
science is acquired is #3 3 a: knowledge or a system of knowledge
covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially as
obtained and tested through scientific method. Of key importance is
that you acquire science through the scientific method of research.
(Briefly, principles and procedures for the systematic pursuit of
knowledge involving the recognition and formulation of a problem, the
collection of data through observation and experiment, and the
formulation and testing of hypotheses. }

Pseudoscience is also defined as a system of theories, assumptions,
and methods erroneously regarded as scientific.
http://www.m- w.com/dictionary /pseudoscience

If the scientific method is misused or conclusions misinterpreted,
that could result in pseudoscience. For example, you develop a
hypothesis, do an experience, and do not disprove your hypothesis. 
This does not mean that your hypothesis is now science. Maybe after
many experiments it might become science, but relying on one
experiment could very well result in pseudoscience. Also, problems
with how you use the scientific method could also result in
pseudoscience. Say the researcher had a strong bias or a financial
interest. This could lead to erroneous conclusions and development of
a pseudoscientific theory.

Antiscience in my mind is the basic disbelief in the scientific method
as the way to develop knowledge about the physical world. For
example, some creationists believe that the world is only a few
thousand years old, despite all the science to the contrary. They do
not believe in carbon 14 dating or other scientific evidence. 

Nice to meet y'all.

ruth

   

   
-
Never miss a thing.   Make Yahoo your homepage.

[FairfieldLife] Re: Pseudo-Science vs Anti-Science

2007-12-21 Thread curtisdeltablues
Nice contribution!  I studied the philosophy of science a bit.  In my
personal life I am trying to find a balance in how I relate to
beliefs.  It seems to be a dance between trying to be rigorous in my
thinking and still being open to what is not known.  I am still
finding that balance.  I don't spend much time with the spiritual
stuff anymore, but sorting out the growth of health beliefs draws my
attention.  I end up being a bit ping ponged by the latest studies.

So now for the question:  how do you apply these principles in
choosing own personal beliefs?


--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, ruthsimplicity
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Jason jedi_spock@ wrote:
 
   
 
  How many people in this forum Pseudo-science.??
 
  And how many are Anti-science.??
 
  How do you define both.??
  
 
 
 I recently moved to town and found this forum.  I signed up mostly to
 discuss this question. :)  The first question really is what is
 science.  The Merriam Webster dictionary definition works for me:
 
 http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/science
 
 1: the state of knowing : knowledge as distinguished from ignorance
 or misunderstanding
 2 a: a department of systematized knowledge as an object of study the
 science of theology b: something (as a sport or technique) that may
 be studied or learned like systematized knowledge have it down to a
 science
 3 a: knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or the
 operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through
 scientific method b: such knowledge or such a system of knowledge
 concerned with the physical world and its phenomena : natural science
 4: a system or method reconciling practical ends with scientific laws
 cooking is both a science and an art
 
 
 My favored and the most specific definition which pertains to how
 science is acquired is #3 3 a: knowledge or a system of knowledge
 covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially as
 obtained and tested through scientific method.  Of key importance is
 that you acquire science through the scientific method of research.
 (Briefly, principles and procedures for the systematic pursuit of
 knowledge involving the recognition and formulation of a problem, the
 collection of data through observation and experiment, and the
 formulation and testing of hypotheses.}
 
 Pseudoscience is also defined as a system of theories, assumptions,
 and methods erroneously regarded as scientific.
 http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/pseudoscience
 
 If the scientific method is misused or conclusions misinterpreted,
 that could result in pseudoscience.  For example, you develop a
 hypothesis, do an experience, and do not disprove your hypothesis. 
 This does not mean that your hypothesis is now science.  Maybe after
 many experiments it might become science, but relying on one
 experiment could very well result in pseudoscience.  Also, problems
 with how you use the scientific method could also result in
 pseudoscience.  Say the researcher had a strong bias or a financial
 interest.  This could lead to erroneous conclusions and development of
 a pseudoscientific theory.
 
 Antiscience in my mind is the basic disbelief in the scientific method
 as the way to develop knowledge about the physical world.  For
 example, some creationists believe that the world is only a few
 thousand years old, despite all the science to the contrary.  They do
 not believe in carbon 14 dating or other scientific evidence.  
 
 Nice to meet y'all.
 
 ruth





[FairfieldLife] Re: Pseudo-Science vs Anti-Science

2007-12-21 Thread ruthsimplicity
-- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 Nice contribution!  I studied the philosophy of science a bit.  In my
 personal life I am trying to find a balance in how I relate to
 beliefs.  It seems to be a dance between trying to be rigorous in my
 thinking and still being open to what is not known.  I am still
 finding that balance.  I don't spend much time with the spiritual
 stuff anymore, but sorting out the growth of health beliefs draws my
 attention.  I end up being a bit ping ponged by the latest studies.
 
 So now for the question:  how do you apply these principles in
 choosing own personal beliefs?
 


May I ask, what is the posting format here?  Do people typically have
what they are quoting from a prior post at the bottom or top of their
post?  Or does it matter?

Anyhow, I look at new studies as not answering questions but as
providing intriguing questions for further study.  Patience is
required.  Unfortunately, the press doesn't help, with each new study
presented as if a new rule is discovered.  

How do I apply these principles in choosing my personal beliefs?  This
is tough; I don't know how much choice is really involved. I love
mystery. The universe is filled with mysteries we have not begun to
explore or answer.  I am amazed by the human ability to come up with
structures for examining the world.  I am amazed and humbled by the
underlying cohesiveness of it all; the way the physical world works,
from the simple (for every action is a reaction), to the complex, to
the impossible to comprehend. I am awed. So, I am religious but
without a religion. 

I also believe that one of the strongest characteristics of mankind is
the ability to question.  But one of the most problematic
characteristics is the need to justify or rationalize.  This
characteristic can lead to pseudoscience, the original topic.

Ruth

-





[FairfieldLife] Re: Pseudo-Science vs Anti-Science

2007-12-21 Thread off_world_beings
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, ruthsimplicity 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Jason jedi_spock@ wrote:
 
   
 
  How many people in this forum Pseudo-science.??
 
  And how many are Anti-science.??
 
  How do you define both.??
  
 
 
 I recently moved to town and found this forum.  I signed up mostly 
to
 discuss this question. :)  The first question really is what is
 science.  The Merriam Webster dictionary definition works for me:
 
 http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/science
 
 1: the state of knowing : knowledge as distinguished from ignorance
 or misunderstanding
 2 a: a department of systematized knowledge as an object of study 
the
 science of theology b: something (as a sport or technique) that may
 be studied or learned like systematized knowledge have it down to a
 science
 3 a: knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or 
the
 operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through
 scientific method b: such knowledge or such a system of knowledge
 concerned with the physical world and its phenomena : natural 
science
 4: a system or method reconciling practical ends with scientific 
laws
 cooking is both a science and an art
 
 
 My favored and the most specific definition which pertains to how
 science is acquired is #3 3 a: knowledge or a system of knowledge
 covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially 
as
 obtained and tested through scientific method.  Of key importance 
is
 that you acquire science through the scientific method of research.
 (Briefly, principles and procedures for the systematic pursuit of
 knowledge involving the recognition and formulation of a problem, 
the
 collection of data through observation and experiment, and the
 formulation and testing of hypotheses.}
 
 Pseudoscience is also defined as a system of theories, assumptions,
 and methods erroneously regarded as scientific.
 http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/pseudoscience
 
 If the scientific method is misused or conclusions misinterpreted,
 that could result in pseudoscience.  For example, you develop a
 hypothesis, do an experience, and do not disprove your hypothesis. 
 This does not mean that your hypothesis is now science.  Maybe 
after
 many experiments it might become science, but relying on one
 experiment could very well result in pseudoscience.  Also, problems
 with how you use the scientific method could also result in
 pseudoscience.  Say the researcher had a strong bias or a financial
 interest.  This could lead to erroneous conclusions and development 
of
 a pseudoscientific theory.
 
 Antiscience in my mind is the basic disbelief in the scientific 
method as the way to develop knowledge about the physical world. 

Hi Ruth, yes that is exactly what Curtis and TurquoiseB said in 
another thread. They tried to throw out the scientific method 
altogether in favor of their own opinion.

The traits of Fox News the Neocons and the anti-science crowd:
1. Attack the person not the argument.
2. Attack the concept of science itself
3. Use science to back up their agenda when it suits them.
4. Shout until the argument is lost in non-related BS.

These are typical traits of an anti-science fundamentalists such as
Rush Limbaugh, Jerry Falwell, Ted Haggard, George Bush, Osama Bin
Laden, Billy Graham, Fox News, The Pope, Ann Coulter, Bill O'Rielly
and... Curt, Turq, Lurk, Vaj, Sal, Larry, Shemp, Peter, Boo,
Bhairitu, and others.

PREDICTION: Their next move will be to try to proove their point with
a peer-reviewed study, after insisting such things are not valid !

...which I think I saw VAJ just trying to do  ! ! !  ! ! 
LOL ! ! !

The 21st century will be about research published in respected peer-
reviewed scientific journals.

OffWorld


 For
 example, some creationists believe that the world is only a few
 thousand years old, despite all the science to the contrary.  They 
do
 not believe in carbon 14 dating or other scientific evidence.  
 
 Nice to meet y'all.
 
 ruth





[FairfieldLife] Re: Pseudo-Science vs Anti-Science

2007-12-21 Thread ruthsimplicity
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, off_world_beings [EMAIL PROTECTED]
wrote:

 The 21st century will be about research published in respected peer-
 reviewed scientific journals.
 
 OffWorld
 
There is a danger in equating peer review with certainty.  Mistakes
and innapropriate motivations can occur even if a study is peer reviewed.
One published study is not the end of the story and conflicting views
coexist and compete. Often one peer reviewed paper will say one thing,
and another peer reviewed paper will say something else.  However, at
the end of the day, when study after study is replicated by others,
maybe some real science will result.  

Ruth





[FairfieldLife] Re: Pseudo-Science vs Anti-Science

2007-12-21 Thread off_world_beings
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, ruthsimplicity 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 -- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues
 curtisdeltablues@ wrote:
 
  Nice contribution!  I studied the philosophy of science a bit.  
In my
  personal life I am trying to find a balance in how I relate to
  beliefs.  It seems to be a dance between trying to be rigorous in 
my
  thinking and still being open to what is not known.  I am still
  finding that balance.  I don't spend much time with the spiritual
  stuff anymore, but sorting out the growth of health beliefs draws 
my
  attention.  I end up being a bit ping ponged by the latest 
studies.
  
  So now for the question:  how do you apply these principles in
  choosing own personal beliefs?
  
 
 
 May I ask, what is the posting format here?  Do people typically 
have
 what they are quoting from a prior post at the bottom or top of 
their

It is completely random, and Rick tried to fix it once, but to no 
avail. You get used to it. Welcome to the board. 


 post?  Or does it matter?
 
 Anyhow, I look at new studies as not answering questions but as
 providing intriguing questions for further study.  Patience is
 required.  Unfortunately, the press doesn't help, with each new 
study
 presented as if a new rule is discovered.  
the strongest characteristics of mankind is
 the ability to question.  But one of the most problematic
 characteristics is the need to justify or rationalize.  This
 characteristic can lead to pseudoscience, the original topic.


That is why it is so important to save and bolster the peer-review 
process, which the anti-science people want to throw out the window 
in favor of their own prejudices.

If we don't save and improve upon the peer-review process. then I 
believe the human race is doomed. Even if they survive, it is part of 
what makes a human a human ...to test and re-test and make 
conclusions based on tests. The Baconian method. 

(Aside: Francis Bacon, called the 'Grandfather of Modern Science', 
was a close councillor of Queen Elizabeth, and her reign led to the 
Puritians - your 'Pilgrims' - leaving Britain because they were not 
allowed to practice oppression and sectarianim in their towns and 
villages. Queen Elizabeth was very much against that kind of 
fundamentalism, and fought the catholic Empire for that reason. A 
fight which ended up, centuries later,  with the British once again 
defeating the Catholic regimes of France and Spain at the end of the 
18th century - a war in which the US war of independence was an 
insignificant little side battle, when the US sided with the 
oppresive Papist regimes. Fortunately for the world, the Celts (the 
British) won that centuries old struggle, and brought in the age of 
freedom and reason - without which the Americans would have been 
annihilated by France and Spain Catholicism if it were not for 
British succes and protection - which is one reason the British 
wanted the Americans to pay taxes, because they were in the middle of 
a vast cultural struggle and ongoing war of epic proportions ever 
since Queen Elizabeth's reign against the oppressive fundamentalist 
regimes of the Papists.)

OffWorld


 
 Ruth
 
 -





[FairfieldLife] Re: Pseudo-Science vs Anti-Science

2007-12-21 Thread off_world_beings
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, ruthsimplicity 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, off_world_beings no_reply@
 wrote:
 
  The 21st century will be about research published in respected 
peer-
  reviewed scientific journals.
  
  OffWorld
  
 There is a danger in equating peer review with certainty.  Mistakes
 and innapropriate motivations can occur even if a study is peer 
reviewed.
 One published study is not the end of the story and conflicting 
views
 coexist and compete. Often one peer reviewed paper will say one 
thing,
 and another peer reviewed paper will say something else.  However, 
at
 the end of the day, when study after study is replicated by others,
 maybe some real science will result.  .


I think the 3 replications ( as a minimum) should be made under 
strict accepted methods. To me that is my religion, if you will.

After that, we must agree as humans that we only have one way to 
agree on reality. We test it, we test it again, and a third test 
gives us good confidence (10 or 20 tests is best though) With this 
the 21st century will be about research published in respected peer-
reviewed scientific journals.

But anti-science crowd here will not agree to such tests because 
they, like Fox News and the Neocons, want their own prejudice to win 
over science.

OffWorld


 
 Ruth





[FairfieldLife] Re: Pseudo-Science vs Anti-Science

2007-12-21 Thread curtisdeltablues
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, ruthsimplicity
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, off_world_beings no_reply@
 wrote:
 
  The 21st century will be about research published in respected peer-
  reviewed scientific journals.
  
  OffWorld
  
 There is a danger in equating peer review with certainty.  Mistakes
 and innapropriate motivations can occur even if a study is peer
reviewed.
 One published study is not the end of the story and conflicting views
 coexist and compete. Often one peer reviewed paper will say one thing,
 and another peer reviewed paper will say something else.  However, at
 the end of the day, when study after study is replicated by others,
 maybe some real science will result. 

Off, are you understanding any of this?  I tried to express this to
you and failed. Did Ruth penetrate that noggin of yours Off?

I hope you stick around Ruth.  You are laying down some great stuff.





 
 
 Ruth





[FairfieldLife] Re: Pseudo-Science vs Anti-Science

2007-12-21 Thread Larry
I am not anti-science - - I am suggesting that much of the
intellectual findings of science don't impact me - - - for example, I
know the earth is round, but for 99.9+% of my daily life
activities, it makes no difference whether the world is flat or round.

The issue of the flatness or roundness of the earth was historically
of great importance to the pro and anti science peoples, and some lost
their lives because of their positions - - but for the billions of
average Joes like myself, the controversy doesn't amount to a hill of
beans.

Likewise, quantum mechanics may claim that the banana I had for
breakfast is mostly empty space, but that fact has little bearing on
the banana's comings and goings . . . 

I am not talking about the application of science in technology - but
the intellectual discovery or resulting knowledge of the scientific
process.   It has little impact for most people, then there are a few
who appreciate science for its entertainment value - then there are
the very few scientists themselves who are actually engaged in the
research.


--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, off_world_beings [EMAIL PROTECTED]
wrote:

 --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, ruthsimplicity 
 ruthsimplicity@ wrote:
 
  --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Jason jedi_spock@ wrote:
  

  
   How many people in this forum Pseudo-science.??
  
   And how many are Anti-science.??
  
   How do you define both.??
   
  
  
  I recently moved to town and found this forum.  I signed up mostly 
 to
  discuss this question. :)  The first question really is what is
  science.  The Merriam Webster dictionary definition works for me:
  
  http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/science
  
  1: the state of knowing : knowledge as distinguished from ignorance
  or misunderstanding
  2 a: a department of systematized knowledge as an object of study 
 the
  science of theology b: something (as a sport or technique) that may
  be studied or learned like systematized knowledge have it down to a
  science
  3 a: knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or 
 the
  operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through
  scientific method b: such knowledge or such a system of knowledge
  concerned with the physical world and its phenomena : natural 
 science
  4: a system or method reconciling practical ends with scientific 
 laws
  cooking is both a science and an art
  
  
  My favored and the most specific definition which pertains to how
  science is acquired is #3 3 a: knowledge or a system of knowledge
  covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially 
 as
  obtained and tested through scientific method.  Of key importance 
 is
  that you acquire science through the scientific method of research.
  (Briefly, principles and procedures for the systematic pursuit of
  knowledge involving the recognition and formulation of a problem, 
 the
  collection of data through observation and experiment, and the
  formulation and testing of hypotheses.}
  
  Pseudoscience is also defined as a system of theories, assumptions,
  and methods erroneously regarded as scientific.
  http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/pseudoscience
  
  If the scientific method is misused or conclusions misinterpreted,
  that could result in pseudoscience.  For example, you develop a
  hypothesis, do an experience, and do not disprove your hypothesis. 
  This does not mean that your hypothesis is now science.  Maybe 
 after
  many experiments it might become science, but relying on one
  experiment could very well result in pseudoscience.  Also, problems
  with how you use the scientific method could also result in
  pseudoscience.  Say the researcher had a strong bias or a financial
  interest.  This could lead to erroneous conclusions and development 
 of
  a pseudoscientific theory.
  
  Antiscience in my mind is the basic disbelief in the scientific 
 method as the way to develop knowledge about the physical world. 
 
 Hi Ruth, yes that is exactly what Curtis and TurquoiseB said in 
 another thread. They tried to throw out the scientific method 
 altogether in favor of their own opinion.
 
 The traits of Fox News the Neocons and the anti-science crowd:
 1. Attack the person not the argument.
 2. Attack the concept of science itself
 3. Use science to back up their agenda when it suits them.
 4. Shout until the argument is lost in non-related BS.
 
 These are typical traits of an anti-science fundamentalists such as
 Rush Limbaugh, Jerry Falwell, Ted Haggard, George Bush, Osama Bin
 Laden, Billy Graham, Fox News, The Pope, Ann Coulter, Bill O'Rielly
 and... Curt, Turq, Lurk, Vaj, Sal, Larry, Shemp, Peter, Boo,
 Bhairitu, and others.
 
 PREDICTION: Their next move will be to try to proove their point with
 a peer-reviewed study, after insisting such things are not valid !
 
 ...which I think I saw VAJ just trying to do  ! ! !  ! ! 
 LOL ! ! !
 
 The 21st century will be about 

[FairfieldLife] Re: Pseudo-Science vs Anti-Science

2007-12-21 Thread tertonzeno
--right...most of what people do, and why; is based on the 
subconscious: concealed impulses deeply hidden within the psyche that 
emerge spontaneously given the stimulating input.  I could read out 
reams of peer reviewed articles to my coworkers about any subject but 
the response would be the same: z


- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Larry [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 I am not anti-science - - I am suggesting that much of the
 intellectual findings of science don't impact me - - - for example, 
I
 know the earth is round, but for 99.9+% of my daily life
 activities, it makes no difference whether the world is flat or 
round.
 
 The issue of the flatness or roundness of the earth was historically
 of great importance to the pro and anti science peoples, and some 
lost
 their lives because of their positions - - but for the billions of
 average Joes like myself, the controversy doesn't amount to a hill 
of
 beans.
 
 Likewise, quantum mechanics may claim that the banana I had for
 breakfast is mostly empty space, but that fact has little bearing on
 the banana's comings and goings . . . 
 
 I am not talking about the application of science in technology - 
but
 the intellectual discovery or resulting knowledge of the scientific
 process.   It has little impact for most people, then there are a 
few
 who appreciate science for its entertainment value - then there are
 the very few scientists themselves who are actually engaged in the
 research.
 
 
 --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, off_world_beings no_reply@
 wrote:
 
  --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, ruthsimplicity 
  ruthsimplicity@ wrote:
  
   --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Jason jedi_spock@ wrote:
   
 
   
How many people in this forum Pseudo-science.??
   
And how many are Anti-science.??
   
How do you define both.??

   
   
   I recently moved to town and found this forum.  I signed up 
mostly 
  to
   discuss this question. :)  The first question really is what is
   science.  The Merriam Webster dictionary definition works for 
me:
   
   http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/science
   
   1: the state of knowing : knowledge as distinguished from 
ignorance
   or misunderstanding
   2 a: a department of systematized knowledge as an object of 
study 
  the
   science of theology b: something (as a sport or technique) 
that may
   be studied or learned like systematized knowledge have it down 
to a
   science
   3 a: knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths 
or 
  the
   operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested 
through
   scientific method b: such knowledge or such a system of 
knowledge
   concerned with the physical world and its phenomena : natural 
  science
   4: a system or method reconciling practical ends with 
scientific 
  laws
   cooking is both a science and an art
   
   
   My favored and the most specific definition which pertains to 
how
   science is acquired is #3 3 a: knowledge or a system of 
knowledge
   covering general truths or the operation of general laws 
especially 
  as
   obtained and tested through scientific method.  Of key 
importance 
  is
   that you acquire science through the scientific method of 
research.
   (Briefly, principles and procedures for the systematic pursuit 
of
   knowledge involving the recognition and formulation of a 
problem, 
  the
   collection of data through observation and experiment, and the
   formulation and testing of hypotheses.}
   
   Pseudoscience is also defined as a system of theories, 
assumptions,
   and methods erroneously regarded as scientific.
   http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/pseudoscience
   
   If the scientific method is misused or conclusions 
misinterpreted,
   that could result in pseudoscience.  For example, you develop a
   hypothesis, do an experience, and do not disprove your 
hypothesis. 
   This does not mean that your hypothesis is now science.  
Maybe 
  after
   many experiments it might become science, but relying on one
   experiment could very well result in pseudoscience.  Also, 
problems
   with how you use the scientific method could also result in
   pseudoscience.  Say the researcher had a strong bias or a 
financial
   interest.  This could lead to erroneous conclusions and 
development 
  of
   a pseudoscientific theory.
   
   Antiscience in my mind is the basic disbelief in the scientific 
  method as the way to develop knowledge about the physical world. 

  
  Hi Ruth, yes that is exactly what Curtis and TurquoiseB said in 
  another thread. They tried to throw out the scientific method 
  altogether in favor of their own opinion.
  
  The traits of Fox News the Neocons and the anti-science crowd:
  1. Attack the person not the argument.
  2. Attack the concept of science itself
  3. Use science to back up their agenda when it suits them.
  4. Shout until the argument is lost in non-related BS.
  
  These are typical traits