[MD] Alternatives to the scientific method

[pholden at davtv.com]

Quoting ian glendinning <psybertron at gmail.com>:

> Platt, examples ...
> 
> Evolution is more than Darwin ?
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6940852.stm
> Note this potential physiochemical (non-genetic) inheritance mechanism
> during foetal brain formation, or even development in suckling infancy
> (and all the caveats). This is more Lamarckian than Darwinian if you
> leave aside the "pro-life" issue of when the offspring's "life" starts
> - as I said earlier the whole reproduction / development cycle
> matters, not just conception and birth. (Add Pinker to my list of
> Dennett et al.)

Since Darwin knew nothing of genetics but based evolution on natural selection
(change and adaptation) I presume he would find no objection to fetal influences
fitting into his theory. But, I could be wrong.

> Freedoms bumping up against freedoms ?
> At the simplest individual level, how about temporarily blinded or
> disoriented person exercises their freedom to walk towards the edge of
> a cliff (bluff). I exercise my freedom to physically prevent them
> going over the edge. Saying freedom must prevail, does not help this
> situation.

Sorry, I don't follow you. Does helping trump the freedom not to help? I
wonder. (No doubt another example of my "twisted rhetoric.")

Platt
 


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