TIPSters, I have an interesting question: What classifies one as a "scientist"?
I was listening to an NPR report on the dialogues between Freud and Einstein, and the reporter characterized both as the two "most famous scientists at that time." While no one would question the idea that Einstein was justifiably one of the most famous scientists of his era (and, indeed, ever since), I found myself wincing at the characterization of Freud as a "scientist". My reason for this reaction is Freud's disdain for the scientific method, or attempts to scientifically test his theories. Freud treated his ideas and theories as obvious truths that need no verification by others (e.g. When one scientist sent Freud a report of an experiment that supported Freud's notion of repression, Freud wrote back to the scientist saying (paraphrasing here), "Thank you for your report, but everyone knows that repression exists and to conduct experiments to show it exists is a waste of time."). What do TIPSters believe makes a scientist? And does Freud meet those criteria? Todd Todd D. Nelson, Ph.D. Gemperle Foundation Distinguished Professor Department of Psychology California State University 801 W. Monte Vista Ave. Turlock, California 95382 (209) 667-3442 (209) 664-7067 (fax) [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.csustan.edu/psych/todd/index.html --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
