[MD] Alternatives to the scientific method

[craigerb at comcast.net]

[Jos]
> I think that I would say that things occur because they have a preference to do so, I would also say
 > that this is "natural" and that I consider this view to be a scientific one.  
> In particular, as I'm currently spending time attempting to contrive thought experiments that might be
 > potentially confounding to this view but am making no progress whatsoever, it must now be time to
 > move on to stage 4 and seek peer review.

I think Pirsig's view is helpful here.  Whether things occur "because they have a preference to do so" or because they are forced to or caused to, is not a scientific question.  The empirical data support each view; there is no empirical experiment that will decide the issue.  It is a metaphysical question:  which view has the best explanatory power.
Craig