If it is science venturing into more inductive realms, which are traditionally more described as philosophies or religions, then you have conceded my point that it is pseudoscience, and not science. I am of the old school who believes that science consists of testable hypotheses. The Drake equation is not testable and therefore is not science. It is important to make the distinction. Venturing off into philosophical or religious realms is fine. But it isn't science and shouldn't pretend to be. The Drake equation was used to justify SETI. The Drake equation cannot be tested and isn't science. SETI isn't science, it is religion. Faith is the firm belief in something for which there is no proof. The belief that the Bible or the Koran represent the word of God is a matter of faith. That doesn't speak to whether or not the belief is correct or not, just that it is a belief, not something that can be tested. Where we run into trouble as scientists and non-scientists is by trying to apply science to things which are untestable. We think by acknowledging that things are matters of faith that they are somehow less relevant, or conversely, by shrouding them in the trappings of science that they become more respectable to espouse. Similarly, the belief that there are other life forms in the universe is at present a belief, a matter of faith. There is not one shred of evidence for any other life forms and after 40 years of searching with SETI, none has been discovered. There is absolutely no evidentiary basis to maintain this belief and therefore, SETI is a religion. Again, this doesn't deny the possibility that life exists elsewhere. BUT from a SCIENTIFIC view, the evidence to make that claim doesn't exist, and the Drake equation is useless in getting it. While it may be evenhanded, it is still completely unscientific and calling it an equation doesn't make it scientific. It remains purely speculation. That is my only objection. I personally believe that life probably does exist elsewhere, but I'm careful to express it as belief and not a scientific conclusion. This distinction may seem to be a lot of excitement about nothing. Who does it harm to present it as science? Directly no one, but by allowing such subject matter to presented as science we end up with other sloppy consensus science like global warming which uses computer models with as many, if not more unquantifiable variables as the evidence that it is occurring. The models are fine for speculative purposes, but nothing more. The actual evidence points very strongly against the so-called consensus that global warming is occurring and that it derives from human activity.
Well said.
As I stated earlier, "it appears that we are more in agreement than we are in disagreement, perhaps just to a matter of degree."
Pseudo means false. I don't think this is a good example of false science along the lines of L. Ron Hubbard. It is more of a "venturing off into philosophical or religious realms", which you say is fine.
About the only open issue is whether Quix would say you suffer from "Stubborn myopia, indeed."
I don't recall enough of your posts at the moment to say whether you suffer from "myopic stubbornness indeed," or not.
You do seem to suffer from paragraph aversion.
I usually decline to read paragraphs longer than 5-7 lines without eye relieving white space.
I've always felt that the Drake equation was RELIGION-OF-SCIENCE glorified mumbo jumbo speculation of little practical value. I've always felt SETI was a smoke-screen and make-work program. We have likely never needed SETI at all. Why listen to far stars when we have visitors working with us here. At least it didn't seem like anywhere near a priority given other raging needs.
I believe you are in serious error about the Christian (and Jewish, for that matter) faiths.
Certainly Faith is required. Scripture is clear that faith is required to please God. And, 'The Just shall live/walk by faith.'
However, OUR FAITH IS BUILT ON A SOLID, LOGICAL, DEMONSTRATED FOUNDATION. And, it is OFTEN testable.
The prophets and followers of Baal found that out in vivid terms with the prophet Elisha.
Similar but MORE DRAMATIC tests will become relatively common place in our era.
Children younger than 10 will be challenging groups of people to CHOOSE THIS DAY, WHOM YOU WILL SERVE and then proving that faith in Almighty God; Jesus THE CHRIST results in demonstrated Holy Spirit empowered benefits and even miracles on HIS schedule and priority criteria.
Evil doers will be falling right and left while authentic, servant-hearted, humble Believers will be protected and even given banquets in front of hungry evil doers trying to destroy the believers to no effect.
Rain will be started and stopped at a word from the person of God--even children.
Earthquakes will be loosened and stopped at the word of the person of God.
The most powerful arms and military forces of the AntiChrist will be neutralized on occasion by the word of the person of God in the local area.
Angel armies will be manifested overtly at the word of the person of God.
Heavenly dramas and super natural earthly dramas will be invited or forewarned about by the person of God in that area.
Ours is an era such as has never before occurred in all of Creation in all of recorded and forgoteen history.
Buckle your seat belts. Sumatra was just the faint hint of the beginning notification of the start to commence of the introduction to such events.
In other words, you ain't seen 'nothin, yet.