Posted: Jun 20, 2014 8:10 am
kennyc wrote:THWOTH wrote:As is often the case, the argument appears to be essentially one against science and scientists. So it goes... So it goes.
I often wonder if those who argue against science on the internet ever stop to think about how science works, how knowledge progresses, and how the architecture of our cultural landscape develops and changes over time as a direct consequence of scientific endeavour.
Often they have a pet theory that goes against the grain or has been disproven (Sheldrake) or they have beliefs which run counter to established science and they think that if they can just destroy the piece of the science/scientific method that is defeating them they will be seen as correct, genius, worthy.
Some actually do understand science and the scientific method but choose to ignore it by creating excuses to mask their nonsense.
But those (usually wannabes) that post on forums such as this are often ignorant of the full understanding of science. And even when explained they choose to ignore it.
Some of that seems to refer to me, let me respond to it. There was a time when I thought I had a bright idea about human evolution and I embarrassed myself punting it. The bright idea was probably wrong anyway. But that led me to gradually uncover a perception that somehow I feel I have always believed. At one time I thought I could convince others of its truth but frankly, no longer. But I really like to be right and I don’t much care if no-one sees that I am. I date that to an episode after a school visit to the Pretoria museum, when it turned out I was the only believer in evolution – and the issue was politically charged, and we kids were shouting some reflection of the adult tumult. That was highly emotional. Another emotional event about the same time came from sleeping under a cliff where a leopard had an argument with a baboon troop. I think those events happened to present a basically true thing to me about myself and the world. Not one of success, but a kind of obduracy about a highly particular truth. Once placed on that path, internet discussions over the years have led me along threads of investigation far outside human evolution, into religion. It’s still interesting if troubling.
edit: last sentence