Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: GourmetDan
Excellent reply.

People should stop referring to theories as “facts.” Our best efforts at reasoning and testing reason by observation are merely that “our best efforts.” Future efforts may provide different results. Not only because, we have new observations, but because we have new insights, new prejudices, or any number of reasons.

According to one television show, some of Einsteins’ early calculations were erroneous. Had critical empirical tests occurred when first planned, his challenge to Newton might have been rejected. But with the commencement of war, the tests were postponed. This historical accident gave him a chance to review and correct his math. With corrected math in hand, future tests vindicated his theories.

I do hope for progress over time. I've read that the Copernican system is simpler, and more elegant, that the Ptolomeic. That may be a reason to prefer it. I do not think Occam's razor is a law, but it is a consideration.

The article you linked on the expansion of the universe is interesting, and further indication that we should keep an open mind, especially on topics that are speculative. Of course, we are each entitled to our opinion, but each opinion is merely an opinion.

108 posted on 04/17/2009 6:23:55 PM PDT by ChessExpert (The unemployment rate was 4.5% when Democrats took control of Congress. What is it today?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies ]


To: ChessExpert
"Excellent reply."

Thanks. I appreciate knowing that somebody understands what I'm saying.

Too few do.

113 posted on 04/18/2009 10:20:24 AM PDT by GourmetDan (Eccl 10:2 - The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 108 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson