[MD] Faith/Skepticism

[markhsmit]

On Feb 27, 2009, at 5:21:41 PM, "Platt Holden" <plattholden at gmail.com> wrote:
[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

Thanks for the clarification Platt.  I also do not agree with all those assumptions.  You will find that many scientists do not either.  With any world view we have to start with certain temporary assumptions.  The tools of science are used to verify or disprove such theories as best we can with our 5 or 6 senses.  Each of the faith-based assumptions listed above is in play all the time, except maybe for experimentalism and conditionalism.  Each theory is just the state of the art, destined to ever change.

Willblake2 (Mark)

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