[MD] Food for Thought

[craigerb at comcast.net]

[ARLO] 
> Now, I could say that it is "from where" a belief originates that differentiates
> its placement. Thus, a belief informed by "authority" is a social pattern. A
> belief informed by "science" is intellectual. But then I'd have to conclude
> that my belief in astrophysics is social, because it rests on authority.

Don't give up this line of thought yet.  It is true that your personal belief/disbelief in astrophysics may be based on authority.  But ultimately for society & the scientific community, it is based on experiments following the scientific method.  Otherwise you fall into the creationist trap that Stephen Hawking says one thing & Moses/the Bible says the opposite, so they're both equally likely right.
Craig