[MD] Alternatives to the scientific method

[David M]

Hi Platt

Yes, I guess that if we value a certain ability to use a certain
form of reason to tell a story that ties up with the forms of evidence
we also value then yes we see this as the best way to construct
our knowledge of the earth's age. If someone else just does not
value the sort of reason and certain use of evidence we do then there
is no way to make them see it our way. If we want to try and
understand each other we need to discuss values and not make
out that there is any way to win this argument by discussing the
evidence. That seems to miss where the real dispute is.

As for what you suggest, what if the literalist says he puts his
trust into the quality of the bible?

David M


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <pholden at davtv.com>
To: <moq_discuss at moqtalk.org>
Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2007 6:04 PM
Subject: Re: [MD] Alternatives to the scientific method


> Quoting David M <davidint at blueyonder.co.uk>:
>
>> Hi Platt
>>
>> Good point about dishonourable values, but not quite sure what
>> more truthful values would be like. Of course, we can reason
>> about values, challenge each other's values, and consider their
>> full and long term consequences. And sometimes getting the
>> semantics right is important.
>>
>> Regards
>> David M
>
> Hi David,
>
> "More truthful values" are intellectual pattens of higher quality. For 
> example
> in the local paper there's quite an argument going on about the age of the 
> universe.
> Some say 6,000 years; others in the billions of years. Now nobody can 
> "prove" his
> case one way or the other since no one is around today to give us an 
> eyewitness
> account. And even eyewitness accounts can be challenged. So, like Pirsig 
> recommends,
> one looks at truth claims like paintings in a gallery, choosing those of 
> higher
> quality. In this case, I give more truth value to the billions of years 
> claim
> based on my confidence in the story told by cosmologists rather than that 
> of
> Biblical scribes. The preponderance of evidence seems to be with the 
> cosmologists.
>
> Hope this example clarifies what I meant.
>
> Regards,
> Platt
>
>
>
>
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