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LostInPhysics
Paul Feyerabend suggests in his book "Against method" that all scientific theories are flawed because human minds are imperfect. Therefore, does anyone else think it's possible that a tiny mistake in early science could lead to an entire field going in the wrong direction.

I put it forward that in order to truly understand the way the universe works, one must first lose all pre-conceived notions and biases and then look as an unbiased objective observer.

Thoughts?
AlexG
Sounds like the justification every crackpot uses.

If science were going in the wrong direction, it's results would not correspond to the physical universe. Since it does, it's doing all right.

LostInPhysics
QUOTE (AlexG+Apr 11 2012, 06:58 PM)
Sounds like the justification every crackpot uses.

If science were going in the wrong direction, it's results would not correspond to the physical universe. Since it does, it's doing all right.

What about the idea that scientists will see the results they want to see.

Why is everyone so rude on here? i thought this was a website for intelligent discussion not childish shooting down of peoples ideas...
AlexG
QUOTE
What about the idea that scientists will see the results they want to see.



Sounds like an idea put forth by someone who isn't familiar with science or scientists.
Whitewolf4869
QUOTE (LostInPhysics+Apr 11 2012, 06:05 PM)
What about the idea that scientists will see the results they want to see.

Why is everyone so rude on here? i thought this was a website for intelligent discussion not childish shooting down of peoples ideas...

If you think this is bad
Try going to Physics Forum!
Mekigal
QUOTE (LostInPhysics+Apr 11 2012, 06:05 PM)
What about the idea that scientists will see the results they want to see.

Why is everyone so rude on here? i thought this was a website for intelligent discussion not childish shooting down of peoples ideas...

Try Sciforum . They banned Me for what ? Letting Spidey teach Me the ropes ? I must admit I was an expert insulter ( Self Defense in my bias position ) Got to have some thick skin for these kinda chats cause well they think like scientist . They question everything

To the point . I heard that before from creationist . Are you one of those them there peoples ? It is a stock response . Science being based on false pretense . Right ? That what you saying ? Which part . The part that fixes a broken leg . The part that makes t.V.s receive reception ? Archeology ? Engineering ? The science that delivers hot air to your house . The science all about water running down hill ?
What part went wrong ? Point to it for us would you please

Best Regards
Me

O.K. I come back to add something . Imperfect minds of humans . Why do you call them imperfect ? That is a Jesus Meme . I don't go that way . Why do you you think human minds are not perfect ?
Lets say for sake of argument that they are imperfect . That might make things more accurate just as much not. Have you ever heard the saying " I learn from my mistakes "
That is so true in my old industry of carpentry . That is how most carpenters learn . Some of us get old vulture buzzard types with the disposition of a badger busting us in the heads with hammers , but out side of that ? You learn from mistakes ! What you gotta say about that ? Rule that one out kind of thing
rpenner
QUOTE (LostInPhysics+Apr 11 2012, 06:05 PM)
shooting down of peoples ideas...

Shooting down of ideas is how science makes progress.

Newton shot down Aristotle's baseless claim that terrestrial and celestial motion were categorically distinct.
Maxwell shot down the idea that electricity and magnetism were distinct (he had a lot of help.)
Einstein shot down Newton's baseless claim that space and time were essential Euclidean.
Einstein shot down Maxwell's baseless claim that space had a essential rest frame.
Einstein shot down Newton's baseless claim that gravity was necessarily propagated at infinite speed.

Robert W. Wood shot down Prosper-René Blondlot claimed discovery of N-rays.

ICARUS shot down OPERA's baseless claims that their experiments truly showed neutrinos moving faster-than-light. Later, OPERA found a mundane cause for their extraordinary claim.

If you aren't trying to shoot down crazy ideas (including your own) I don't think you can be said to be doing science.
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