scientific theory

[Guest guest]

According to Ken Wilber, the abstract ideas from any field only have

any validity when confirmed by the consensus of the community of

experts in that field. Certain things can be confirmed with no special

training. One can easily be shown that one rock weighs more than

another, for example. Humans have the innate capacity to gauge such

things. So most of us can easily agree upon things like color, size

and shape regardless of culture or training. However when it comes to

the laws of thermodynamics or the four forces of physics or the theory

of evolution, we must rely on mathematicians, engineers and

archaeologists to provide the evidence of these invisible forces. If

the community of scientists generally regards a thing as true, such as

evolution, I choose to accept that as the current " truth " . Any number

of alternate and apparently logical explanations and theories can be

proposed for anything. How is an outsider to genetics, such as myself

for example, to assess fringe ideas. A layperson can easily be swayed

by logic if they are not knowledgeable of the initial premises of an

argument. If the initial premises have been rejected by the mainstream

scientific community, then the entire argument is invalid. You can say

that the mainstream idea is actually wrong, but I am in no position to

judge such a radical statement, so I view it with skepticism until the

consensus concurs. No amount of logical debate on such ideas will ever

sway me because that is not my sole criteria for acceptance of new

ideas. If I categorically reject an initial premise, I really have no

interest in hearing the logic that arises from the rejected premise.

For example, the initial premise that the world was created by an

anthropomorphic deity is the end of any discussion I might have engaged

in. This is my admitted bias. The scientific consensus will change if

and when a preponderance of evidence exists AND the opponents of the

new are no longer able to fight the proponents of the new. Its not one

or the other. It must be both, IMO.

 

 

 

Chinese Herbs

 

FAX:

 

 

[Guest guest]

According to Ken Wilber, the abstract ideas from any field only

have

any validity when confirmed by the consensus of the community of

 

experts in that field.

 

The use of the term " validity " should be qualified. An idea can be

valid without consensus or confirmation.

 

Stephen Morrissey

 

 

 

Chinese Herbal Medicine offers various professional services, including

board approved continuing education classes, an annual conference and a

free discussion forum in Chinese Herbal Medicine.