[MD] Alternatives to the scientific method

[pholden at davtv.com]

Quoting David M <davidint at blueyonder.co.uk>:

> Hi Platt
> 
> I don't expect science to have any say about what values
> are best. Values differ, we have to learn how we can live together
> given our different values, this is the stuff of politics rather than 
> science.
> We need intelligent ways to look at how to assess our different values.
> Pirsig's levels and notion of quality is one useful way to look at values.
> Religion and secularism have their own ways of looking at values
> and that just arn't going to be ignored or overcome in a hurry.
> We need to get honest about our disagreements about values and
> stop pretending they have anything to do with truth and that anyone
> has any privileged access to some truth-values that are superior.
> Of course we can claim point to how our values relate to experience
> and reality but this is never going to make a decisive case.
> Of course, where we have values of autonomy and equality they are
> going to conflict with authoritarian and hierarchical values.

Hi David,

Wouldn't you agree that values of individual freedom and equality before
the law are superior to totalitarian government? I certainly think the superiority
of the former is decisive enough to risk my life to uphold it, as millions have
done in the past and continue to do today. Our ability to converse freely on
this site without fear is a direct result of the superiority of some "truth-
values" that others have risked everything to defend.

Perhaps I have misunderstood your point.

Regards,
Platt





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