To: longshadow
Notice that NOWHERE in Popper's comments on scientific theories does he use the word "EXPERIMENT". He uses the words "falsifiability" and "testability," and throughout his writings refers to scientific theories that are capable of refutation by OBSERVATION.
I trust this puts an end to you mistaken belief that theories that do not involve experimental reproduction of the phenomona within theire scope are somehow not "scientific."
I wasn't aware that scientific debate was decided by fiat (or, "My dad's stronger than your dad..."). Shall we worship Popper as the all-knowing god of science?
One can sum up all this by saying that the criterion of the scientific status of a theory is its falsifiability, or refutability, or testability.
Speaking of religion, this is also the Biblical test of prophecy (Deut. 18:22 "If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him."; 1John 4:1 "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.")
I therefore proclaim that Judaism and Christianity are science and the Bible is a scientific document.
To: Rachumlakenschlaff
I therefore proclaim that Judaism and Christianity are science and the Bible is a scientific document."Virtual Ignore" is now in effect.
1,636 posted on
03/11/2003 11:07:59 AM PST by
PatrickHenry
(The universe is made for life, therefore ID. Life can't arise naturally, therefore ID.)
To: Rachumlakenschlaff
I wasn't aware that scientific debate was decided by fiat (or, "My dad's stronger than your dad..."). Shall we worship Popper as the all-knowing god of science? In matters related to the philosophy of science, of which the nature of a scientific theory is, the written opinions of the 20th Century's most reknowned philospher of science surely carry more weight than the utterances of some 6th-grade teacher you once had.
Popper demonstrated the wisdom of his ideas to the satisfaction of most scientists, who embrace his insights. That you chose to embrace your 6th-grade teacher's opinion over Popper's in matters that Popper was the recognized expert is surely no reflection on him.
The fact remains that the established criteria for a scientific theory emphasizes its falsifiability (read: testability). That you choose to focus exclusively on one method of falsification ("experiment") while ignoring other equally valid methods, including OBSERVATION, such as is illustrated by the test of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity by OBSERVING the bending of starlight passing by the Sun during an eclipse, is no fault of Popper's.
But, if you believe that you and your 6th-grade teacher know more about scientific methodology and what constitutes valid objective methods of falsification of a scientific theory than Karl Popper did, then by all means feel free to have the last word on the subject.
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