PhilS
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2004
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I'm not sure how to answer the question: Do I believe in science? It's a question that is a little ambiguous and overbroad. But I would say that I believe that science, including the scientific method, can reveal, and has revealed, many truths about the world we live in. It is also prone to error, since it is a system or a body of knowledge that involves humans, which are prone to error and other imperfections. And there are many, many instances of science pronouncing something as a fact, that turned out not to be a fact. Like any discipline, science has its strengths and weaknesses. I'm not sure if that helps, but I don't know how to be more specific at this point.
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You use the word "perceptions" but one could also use the word "observations." Those are part of the scientific method also. If someone traveled around the world and ended up where they started, I would think that particular "observation" would be rather probative of the world being round.
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No, his voice wasn't nasal at all. It was deeper. But either way, the point is that the tonal quality of his voice was different, and my memory of his voice was good enough that I could hear it right away, even though I had not spoken to him for two weeks.
Originally Posted by upstateguy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Let me rephrase: I would like to base my opinions on some sort of scientific data. So, do you believe in science? This is a critical question that must be answered so I will know how to respond. If you do not believe in science, what do you base your belief system on? |
I'm not sure how to answer the question: Do I believe in science? It's a question that is a little ambiguous and overbroad. But I would say that I believe that science, including the scientific method, can reveal, and has revealed, many truths about the world we live in. It is also prone to error, since it is a system or a body of knowledge that involves humans, which are prone to error and other imperfections. And there are many, many instances of science pronouncing something as a fact, that turned out not to be a fact. Like any discipline, science has its strengths and weaknesses. I'm not sure if that helps, but I don't know how to be more specific at this point.
Quote:
Originally Posted by upstateguy /img/forum/go_quote.gif It is very difficult, for instance, to counter the proposition that "the world is flat", if the people you are discussing it with base their belief systems on personal perceptions? |
You use the word "perceptions" but one could also use the word "observations." Those are part of the scientific method also. If someone traveled around the world and ended up where they started, I would think that particular "observation" would be rather probative of the world being round.
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Originally Posted by upstateguy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Regarding your friends cold: I submit to you that it is the nasal sound from a stuffed nose that tells you someone has a cold. |
No, his voice wasn't nasal at all. It was deeper. But either way, the point is that the tonal quality of his voice was different, and my memory of his voice was good enough that I could hear it right away, even though I had not spoken to him for two weeks.