From: rhinoceros (rhinoceros@freemail.gr)
Date: Mon Sep 02 2002 - 06:46:16 MDT
[bricoleur]
I ask (having only read the variety of excellent posts regarding the scientific method available here) how valid is the argument that, "There are likely explanations within the grasp of future science that may validate a lot of what he dismisses offhand simply because of a lack of research in these areas"?
And what is the validity of the case, "Leaning on 'science' as justification for dismissing outright things we don't yet understand or have a rigorous knowledge of betrays smallmindedness"?
Please bear with me as I try to get a clearer understanding of the different opinions in this ‘type’ of subject. This is a learning process for me and I am looking for feedback and therefore many of the questions and/or opinions I express may not reflect my current POV.
[rhinoceros]
While I agree that Shermer is not the most open minded type around, he has been heavily involved in debunking particular parapsychological claims though Skeptic's Magazine and skeptic.com. It is not like he just dismissed them by uttering the magic word "science".
But how can we have a meaningful argument out of this? Perhaps you could post one particular reference from the ones you mentioned which you have found convincing enough.
What is unusual here is that, while a standard scientific hypothesis comes with supporting evidence which can be verified and is subject to falsification, all we ask here is just one case which can be verified.
[bricoleur]
Probably has to do with the whole new-age fluff of, "I am not interested in material wealth and do not require that type of 'ego' driven confirmation... blah blah..."
I agree with you Joe, but is caution required to not become a material fundamentalist? How far should we go to entertaining these anomalous experiences?
[rhinoceros]
Again, just one person interested in material wealth is needed. Even one greedy person who just read about that and managed to reproduce a described effect.
---- This message was posted by rhinoceros to the Virus 2002 board on Church of Virus BBS. <http://virus.lucifer.com/bbs/index.php?board=51;action=display;threadid=26338>
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