Regarding the inconsistencies of your statements, first, since you are not omniscient then how do you know for certain that 'there is no other tool at our disposal" other than 'science'? Have you looked everywhere? How could you since you're not omniscient?... Second, your statements themselves are not statements of
science, they are philosophical statements about
science, which renders them self-refuting. Great observations, dear Diamond! Thank you ever so much for "interjecting here."
Our friend albionin wants "proof" of the existence of God. So I offered not one, but Five Proofs constructed by the great saint and doctor Thomas Aquinas. All are logical proofs. I gather this is not the sort of "proof" our friend is seeking — for he avers that only by means of the scientific method can reliable information about our world be obtained.
Instantly, I'm saying to myself — Jeepers, I had never thought the scientific method was in the "proof" business; I thought it was in the "falsification" business. Its great shortcoming (to me) is that it is only generally applicable to isolatable quantities that are directly observable by human beings.
And yet, to this day, the quark has never been isolated or measured — that is, "observed." Does this mean that our friend doesn't "believe" that quarks exist — which these days are universally recognized by physical scientists as the underlying constituents of nucleons? Since quarks themselves are non-observables, their existence has to be inferred from the "observational picture" that is accessible by human observers.
Kind of reminds me of a situation that I regard as directly analogous:
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: — Romans 1:20
IOW, we (or I anyway) infer the existence of the "invisible" God because the visible world that I observe is the way it is, and not some other way. That it exists at all needs an explanation....
This is the same logic that tells me something called quarks must exist, because there are protons and neutrons.
Thank you for your outstanding essay/post, Diamond! It's always such a pleasure to hear from you!
And yet, to this day, the quark has never been isolated or measured — that is, "observed." Does this mean that our friend doesn't "believe" that quarks exist — which these days are universally recognized by physical scientists as the underlying constituents of nucleons? Since quarks themselves are non-observables, their existence has to be inferred from the "observational picture" that is accessible by human observers. ------------------------------------------------------
Ms. Boop.... I aver that Quark HAS been observed although not quantified..
Rules of Acquisition...
Rule 1: Once you have their money, you never give it back.
Rule 2: The best deal is the one that brings the most profit.
Rule 3: Never spend more for an acquisition than you have to.
Rule 4: A woman wearing clothes is like a man in the kitchen.
Rule 5: If you can't break a contract, bend it.
Rule 6: Never allow family to stand in the way of opportunity.
Rule 7: Keep your ears open.
Rule 8: Small print leads to large risk.
Rule 9: Opportunity plus instinct equals profit.
Rule 10: Greed is eternal.
Rule 11: Latinum isn't the only thing that shines.
Rule 12: Anything worth selling is worth selling twice.
Rule 13: Anything worth doing is worth doing for money.
Rule 14: Anything stolen is pure profit.
Rule 15: Acting stupid is often smart.
Rule 16: A deal is a deal...until a better one comes along.
Rule 17: A contract is a contract is a contract... but only between Ferengi.
Rule 18: A Ferengi without profit is no Ferengi at all.
Rule 19: Satisfaction is not guaranteed.
Rule 20: When the customer is sweating, turn up the heat.
Rule 21: Never place friendship above profit.
Rule 22: A wise man can hear profit in the wind.
Rule 23: Nothing is more important than your health, except for your money.
Rule 24: Latinum can't buy happiness, but you can sure have a blast renting it.
Rule 25: You can't make a deal if you're dead.
Rule 26: The vast majority of the rich in this galaxy did not inherit their wealth; they stole it.
Rule 27: There's nothing more dangerous than an honest businessman.
Rule 28: Morality is always defined by those in power.
Rule 29: When someone says "It's not the money", they're lying!
Rule 30: Talk is cheap; synthehol makes profit.
Rule 31: Never insult a Ferengi's mother.
Rule 32: Be careful what you sell. It may do exactly what the customer expects
Rule 33: It never hurts to suck up to the boss.
Rule 34: War is good for business.
Rule 35: Peace is good for business.
Rule 36: Too many Ferengi can't laugh at themselves anymore.
Rule 37: You can always buy back a lost reputation.
Rule 38: Free advertising is cheap.
Rule 39: Praise is cheap. Heap it generously on all customers.
Rule 40: She can touch your lobes, but never your latinum.
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