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Do Theories Have to be Testable to be Scientific?
In article ,
Richard Alexander wrote: "Bob White" wrote in message news:xEBRa.82631$N7.11056@sccrnsc03... What prevents us from using the logical, systematic, scientific method of investigation to investigate any proposition at all, Before the scientific method can be used, the object of investigation must be accessible. Thus, one-time events are likely to be beyond the scope of the scientific method. Historical events in general are beyond the scope of the scientific method, though one can use the scientific method on some on-going after-effects. I wouldn't say that's strictly true. We can't repeat SN1987a, for one example. Data about it was gathered from multiple sources, but even if it weren't, we have a larger context of stellar physics and astronomical observation to fit it into. Including our own Sun, and neutrinos created reliably in reactors and accelerators. One lesson emphasized in my classes of Logic and Critical Thinking is that logic is a wonderful servant, but a wretched master. There are those who would make logic and the scientific method our masters. You sound like one of them. Vulcans on Star Trek are the worst, spouting off "Your behavior isn't logical" when they have no idea what goals that behavior is even meant to achieve. I think this guy has more faith in, and gives more scope to science than the typical scientist does. He has an issue -- God is not merely unproven or untestable, God must be provably false, it must not even make sense to bring up the subject, and let science and logic be modified such that it is so. Which is about as bad as the creationists who pick their own premise -- the Bible -- and let all other intellectual endeavor be modified such that the premise remains intact. -- "When fighting with sharpened Bronze, or harder Metals from the Heavens, it is Wise to kick thy Opponent, be he a Chaldean or a man of Uruk, in his Man Sack, that thou mayst defeat him more handily than by Arms. So sayeth INNAMURUTUSHIMMILODEK, who hath slain threescore Ammelekites." |
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