I just got fed up seeing that bleak thing about science all the time. I think science is great fun, always have! The great thing about science is that it provides answers based on evidence. You don't have to believe a word of it - just replicate the experiments yourself and you will (usually) get the same results. No dogma to accept without question, no dodgy manipulation of history, no changing 'facts' to 'prove' things. It's the way to go!
Other great thing about science - not having to make excuses like 'spirits don't like being tested', 'aliens won't appear on the White House lawn until we are ready to accept the truth of their visits', 'it doesn't work to order', 'the government know all about it but they're covering it up' ...
Last edited by MRT; 2nd October 2007 at 03:18 PM.
I totally agree with that
The problem is most people do not really understand science - in its proper context.
In addition, I would add that logic and critical thinking (or evidence-based reasoning as it is often termed) can be a great thing of beauty as well. It is hard to learn, but helps to cut through the tosh.
Most people have not engaged with that material and simply see it as scientists not playing fair, or making rules up that suit themselves.
I wouldn't disagree with that, although I would come from the angle that science poses more questions as a result. That is the fun part.I just got fed up seeing that bleak thing about science all the time. I think science is great fun, always have! The great thing about science is that it provides answers based on evidence.
If people were to look at these statements they would realise that they are the real 'bleak' culprits, implicit in defeatism.Other great thing about science - not having to make excuses like 'spirits don't like being tested', 'aliens won't appear on the White House lawn until we are ready to accept the truth of their visits', 'it doesn't work to order', 'the government know all about it but they're covering it up' ...
It all started to go wrong with that shifty Dr FrankensteinMost people have not engaged with that material and simply see it as scientists not playing fair, or making rules up that suit themselves.
Friendly wave from a bod whose footling education has had far more to do with humanities than science. :-)Originally Posted by MRT
The important distinction is between those who have learned to cherish good argument and evidence and those who have not.
And the astonishing thing about science IMO is that, although it has been served by men and women of genius, its methods permit it to advance without relying on genius. It is a glorious social achievement.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks