On 7 Dec 2005 at 11:16, Allen Esterson wrote: > After Stephen's description of the Wikipedia entry on Einstein/Maric as > "balanced", can we dispense with the use of this ambiguous word in such > contexts in future. -:) > (Sorry, Stephen!) >
Good thing you said you were sorry. But after the verbal licking I took from Allen on this issue, I'd better clarify what I meant. I agree with Allen that science is not a democracy, and the best position is rarely halfway between two extremes. As Einstein allegedly said when confronted with a tract by 100 concerned Nazi scientists declaring he was wrong, "If I were wrong, one would be enough". But an encyclopedia isn't science either. What I want out of an encylclopedia is _information_, and that includes all of the current views on a particular issue, misguided though they may be, as long as a substantial number are taking them seriously. I like a _little_ guidance, common-sense, and interpretation, but mostly I want my encyclopedia to refrain from judgement, just tell me what's happenin', baby. Then I can investigate for myself and make up my own mind. That's what I meant by "balanced", and I think Wikipedia does a pretty good job of it. BTW, that tract by Nazi scientists is real, but I've tried and failed to verify Einstein's reply. I suspect he never said it. A pity, because I really like it. Stephen ----------------------------------------------------------------- Stephen L. Black, Ph.D. Department of Psychology Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lennoxville, QC J1M 1Z7 Canada Dept web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy TIPS discussion list for psychology teachers at http://faculty.frostburg.edu/psyc/southerly/tips/index.htm ----------------------------------------------------------------------- --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
