21 APR 2014 by ideonexus
Consensual VS Dissension Approach to Science
The debate surrounding the consensus on climate change is complicated by the complexity of both the scientific and the associated sociopolitical issues. Underlying this debate is a fundamental tension between two competing conceptions of scientific inquiry: the consensual view of science versus the dissension view [24]. Under the consensual approach, the goal of science is a consensus of rational opinion over the widest possible field [25]. The opposing view of science is that of dissensi...
1 Consensus VS debate as it applies to climate change science.
24 FEB 2014 by ideonexus
The Problem of Scientific Literacy
In 1905, at a gathering of the world’s greatest minds in the physical sciences, Henri Poincare´ reflected on the rapid progress of scientific inquiry and the means through which the scientific community at the turn of the twentieth century and beyond would refine our understanding of the world. In his historical address, Poincare´ warned against the seduction of reducing science to a domain of seeming facts, stating, "Science is built up of facts, as a house is built of stones; but an acc...Folksonomies: education scientific literacy
Folksonomies: education scientific literacy
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notesWe are failing students by treating science as a collection of facts rather than a method of thought.
22 JAN 2014 by ideonexus
Science is Human Power, Needing Guidance
It is against the background of conflict and confusion in the relations of science and society that we find ourselves confronted with a crisis in the history of mankind, and particularly in the history of human government. It is a crisis arising from the rapidly increasing power given to man by science. It is a crisis such as we are accustomed to leave to the arbitrement of sectional interests supported by shouts and cries. But it is one to which scientific inquiry can provide a solution. For... 1 notes
notesAnd science can provide the guidance through managing human beings through biological knowledge.
05 JUN 2012 by ideonexus
The Growth and Stages of Scientific Knowledge
In its earliest development knowledge is self-sown. Impressions force themselves upon men’s senses whether they will or not, and often against their will. The amount of interest in which these impressions awaken is determined by the coarser pains and pleasures which they carry in their train or by mere curiosity; and reason deals with the materials supplied to it as far as that interest carries it, and no further. Such common knowledge is rather brought than sought; and such ratiocination i... 1 notes
notesInto aesthetic pleasure to recognizing the continuous series of causes in nature.
03 JAN 2012 by ideonexus
The Internet Fosters Collectivism
The way the internet has gone sour since then is truly perverse. The central faith of the web’s early design has been superseded by a different faith in the centrality of imaginary entities epitomized by the idea that the internet as a whole is coming alive and turning into a superhuman creature.
[...]
he way we got here is that one subculture of technologists has recently become more influential than the others. The winning subculture doesn’t have a formal name, but I’ve sometimes ca... 1 notes
notesThe internet was supposed to empower individuals, but instead we see it as a collective, central point of all culture.
25 JUL 2011 by ideonexus
Focus on Common Things
And first, for those things which seem common. Let men bear in mind that hitherto they have been accustomed to do no more than refer and adapt the causes of things which rarely happen to such as happen frequently, while of those which happen frequently they never ask the cause, but take them as they are for granted. And therefore they do not investigate the causes of weight, of the rotation of heavenly bodies, of heat, cold, light, hardness, softness, rarity, density, liquidity, solidity, ani... 1 notes
notesWe overlook the common in scientific inquiry, but it is in the common occurrences that the laws of nature are to be found.
25 JUL 2011 by ideonexus
Fear of Science Toppling God
Lastly, you will find that by the simpleness of certain divines, access to any philosophy, however pure, is well-nigh closed. Some are weakly afraid lest a deeper search into nature should transgress the permitted limits of sober-mindedness, wrongfully wresting and transferring what is said in Holy Writ against those who pry into sacred mysteries, to the hidden things of nature, which are barred by no prohibition. Others with more subtlety surmise and reflect that if second causes are unknown... 1 notes
notesPeople fear scientific inquiry because they fear negating the scriptures with their discoveries. A very prescient observation by Francis Bacon.
