At 10:17 AM -0600 3/25/02, Rod Hetzel wrote: >Paul Brandon stated: > >> The problem is one of scientific method. >> Once you posit that supernatural (by >> definition beyond the predictability >> of natural laws) forces can be at work in the >> present work, how can you experimentally >> separate the effects of the natural from the >> supernatural? You're positing a 'wildcard' >> variable that can always (by definition) >> provide an alternative explanation to that >> of any experimental variable. > >Good comments, Paul. One that certainly has tremendous relevance for the >field of science and the work that we do as scientists. The scientific >method is a without doubt a powerful tool. By itself, however, it is an >incomplete way of completely understanding the world around us. I'm not >trying to diminish the contributions or importance of scientific inquiry, >I'm just suggesting that other fields (such as theology, literature, etc.) >have also greatly contributed to our understanding of the complex world in >which we live.
'Completeness' is a function of your personal assumptions. If one accepts that the world is the way it is, then yes, the natural explanation is complete. I see no logical necessity for a 'prime mover' unless you have already made that a basic assumption of your personal epistemology. >Let me ask you a question. Are all of your current beliefs and values >based solely on scientific data? Or do you hold some beliefs and values >have not been confirmed through the scientific method? Have you learned >some things about the world through fields other than science? Let's rephrase that. All my "current beliefs and values" (behaviors) can be accounted for by scientific principles. Of course my behavior has been shaped by contingencies other than formal scientific analysis. So?? > >I'm prepared to take some things in life on faith. Similarly, I'm also >prepared not to mislabel as science those things that I take on faith. >And I'm also prepared not to teach as science that which is clearly not >science. I think we agree here. It's a question of how we account for actions such as "taking things on faith". * PAUL K. BRANDON [EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Psychology Dept Minnesota State University, Mankato * * 23 Armstrong Hall, Mankato, MN 56001 ph 507-389-6217 * * http://www.mankato.msus.edu/dept/psych/welcome.html * --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
