[MD] Faith/Skepticism

[Platt Holden]

[Mark] 
> On Feb 26, 2009, at 6:56:56 PM, "Platt Holden" <plattholden at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> Science challenges its assumptions as often as Obama challenges big 
> spending programs. I'm sure Krimel will let us know if and when either 
> happens, but don't hold your breath.
> 
> I found this post interesting, as well as the subsequent posts and the
> website provided by Marsha.  I too am trained in the sciences and the
> diligent methods of questioning assumptions through testing.  I'm not sure
> what concept of science Platt is referring to, and it may be that
> presented by the mainstream media. 

Here are the assumptions of science I referred to in a previous post that I 
doubt have ever been presented by the mainstream media.

Faith-based metaphysical assumptions of the scientific worldview:

Determinism--all effects emerge from prior natural causes

Reductionism--complex phenomena can be explained by isolating simple
elements and processes

Empiricism--reality grounded in sensory phenomena

Materialism--matter/energy is the source of all phenomena including human
intelligence

Externalism--nature and its laws exists independent of human observation

Mechanism--basic processes stem from causes that can often be formulated
in mathematical terms

Experimentalism--models of cause and effect must be tested by repeated
measurements

Evolutionism--continuous development is brought about by blind chance and
natural selection

Emergentism--some phenomena occur as the result of self-organizing
patterns

Conditionalism--new discoveries may invalidate current theories

Platt