[MD] Alternatives to the scientific method

[Platt Holden]

Jos:

Thanks for your critique. I have a few comments:

> > Faith-based metaphysical assumptions of the scientific worldview:
> > 
> > a. Determinism-all effects emerge from prior natural causes -
> > incomaptible with quantum theory, simple cause effect relationships are
> > not valid. 

"Simple" cause-effect relationship? Who said anything about "simple?" 
Also, are you suggesting quantum effects occur for no reason whatsoever? 
Or that they occur by some supernatural cause?

> > b. Rationalism-the intellectual engine that drives scientific inquiry -
> > ok fair cop
> > 
> > c. Reductionism-complex phenomena can be explained by 
> > isolating simple elements and
> > processes -  Incompatible with observations of chaotic systems in
> > particular fluid dynamics.

I would say strange attractors are simple elements.

> > d. Empiricism-reality grounded in sensory phenomena - Is there a problem
> > with this one?

No problems with any of them. Just that science operates on unprovable 
assumptions as do all intellectual endeavors.  

> > e. Materialism-matter/energy is the source of all phenomena 
> > including human intelligence. - wide ranging debate on this one , you
> > have a handfull of scientist/philosophers like Dennet and Dawkins who go
> > out on a limb, but its hardly representative of a whole community. Again
> > "the method" forces one to look for potentially confounding experiments
> > and in this instance they abound - please see various books by RMP

What books or ideas from RMP did you have in mind?

> > f. Externalism-nature and its laws exists independent of 
> > human observation - incompatible with observations of quantum effects and
> > in particular copenhagen  interpretation, this is now 80 years old -
> > Platt please try to stay apace of modern developments.

>From Newsweek, July 30, 2007: "New studies suggest, however, that it is 
possible to measure something without affecting it. The key is doing the 
experiments, well, gently." Jos, do try to stay abreast of modern 
developments. :-)

> > g. Mechanism-basic processes stem from causes that can often 
> > be formulated in
> > mathematical terms - Maths is just language done digital, in fact your
> > implied criticism is the wrong way around, theres lots that can only be
> > described mathematically and has no real linguistic analogue - please see
> > RMP SODV paper and comments on neils Bohr et al 

Don't see that this denies my statement. Quantum mechanics is largely
expressed in mathematical terms if I'm not mistaken. 

> > h. Experimentalism-models of cause and effect must be tested 
> > by repeated measurements - "must be"? This is just pragmatism, cant
> > incorporate something into a hypothesis untill you have resaonble
> > confidence in its validity. 

Are you suggesting a single measurement constitutes scientific validity?

> > i. Evolutionism-continuous development is brought about by 
> > blind chance and natural
> > selection - this is one particular scientific theory, true a very
> > significant one, but it does not define the method.

I am not defining " the method." I am listing the metaphysical assumptions 
of science.

 > > j. Emergentism-some phenomena occur as the result of 
> > self-organizing patterns - same as above, but doesn't this conflict with
> > your assertion of reductionism?

Note the word "some." But yes. This is the famous scientific "oops"
explanation of phenomena that goes against its own cause-effect, reductive
assumptions.  

> > k. Conditionalism-new discoveries may invalidate current theories -
> > anything "may" happen its hardly a belief.

What do you call it then?

> > To defend their faith, some scientists and many of their 
> > acolytes mock, demonize and
> > marginalize competing views, using highly emotive language 
> > and implying that all
> > "intelligent" people must agree with them.

> Demonize !???!!!

"To describe religions as mind viruses is sometimes interpreted as 
contemptuous or even hostile. It is both. I am often asked why I am so 
hostile to organized religion."
-- Richard Dawkins, The Devil's Chaplain (2004) 

Platt