03 MAR 2014 by ideonexus
The Success of Science
One of the reasons for its success is that science has
built-in, self-correcting machinery at its very heart. It takes
account of human fallibility. One of its commandments is,
"Mistrust arguments from authority." Too many such arguments
have turned out to be painfully wrong. Authorities must prove
their contentions like anybody else. This independence of
science, its unwillingness to pay automatic obeisance to
conventional wisdom, makes it dangerous to doctrines less self-
critical. ...Comes from its built-in self-criticism, its proven results, and the reverence and awe it inspires.
18 MAY 2011 by ideonexus
Supernatural Concepts Worthy of Further Inquiry
At
the time of writing there are three claims in the ESP field which, in
my opinion, deserve serious study: (1) that by thought alone
humans can (barely) affect random number generators in computers;
(2) that people under mild sensory deprivation can receive
thoughts or images 'projected' at them; and (3) that young
children sometimes report the details of a previous life, which
upon checking turn out to be accurate and which they could not
have known about in any other way than reincarnation...Folksonomies: science supernatural
Folksonomies: science supernatural
Carl Sagan lists three seemingly supernatural concepts worth investigation.
18 MAY 2011 by ideonexus
Scientific Scrutiny is Difficult to Bear
Even when it's applied sensitively,
scientific scepticism may come across as arrogant, dogmatic,
heartless and dismissive of the feelings and deeply held beliefs of
others. And, it must be said, some scientists and dedicated
sceptics apply this tool as a blunt instrument, with little finesse.
Sometimes it looks as if the sceptical conclusion came first, that
contentions were dismissed before, not after, the evidence was
examined. All of us cherish our beliefs. They are, to a degree,
self-defi...It comes across as arrogant and insensitive.
04 MAY 2011 by ideonexus
Mistrust arguments from authority
One of the great commandments of science is, 'Mistrust arguments from authority'. (Scientists, being primates, and thus given to dominance hierarchies, of course do not always follow this commandment.) Too many such arguments have proved too painfully wrong. Authorities must prove their contentions like everybody else. This independence of science, its occasional unwillingness to accept conventional wisdom, makes it dangerous to doctrines less self-critical, or with pretensions to certitude.
...One of the "great commandments of science."