Post by cleefarqhuar on May 28, 2014 16:18:51 GMT
We all admire the very real achievements of science, and perhaps because of these there is a distinct tendency to put science on a pedestal and kow-tow to its ministers
In fact, according to Popper, to do that is to contradict the so-called 'scientific method’, which, if there is any such thing, is to attempt at all times to refute scientific hypotheses. Poppers hypothesis is that scientific 'truths' can never be proved and that the only valid test of a scientific hypothesis is if it withstands all attempt at refutation. In fact very few scientific hypotheses over the centuries have withstood this test - most have fallen in the quest for refutation
And that, of course is a good thing, because science would probably not advance at all if all scientific hypotheses were simply accepted at face value (as many are by non-scientists)
It is interesting to note that most scientific theories are really no different from dogma. A dogma is something that is accepted by a group of people without any ‘proof’’. Many Scientists believe their hypotheses are ‘true’ whilst being quite unable to furnish any proof that they are so. It is the real purpose of science (according to Popper) to attempt to debunk scientific dogma
Now AGW is a prime example of scientific dogma in action. Many in the scientific community assert without the slightest doubt that changes in the earth’s climate are the result of human activity – especially the emission of CO2.
As a scientific hypothesis this is entirely valid, but for many scientists to assert that this is that truth quite contradicts the ‘scientific method’, which must seek to show that a scientific dogma is not true.
We find ourselves in the odd position of the AGW dogma being asserted as true with the same vehemence as a Latter Day Saint asserts that the Bible is ‘true’. Scientists are reducing the nobility of science to the same level as religious zealotry. They abhor and deride those scientists that follow the scientific method seeking to show that their dogma is untrue. Such opposition is treated with contempt as ‘anti-science’, whereas that AGW Sceptics are simply following the true ‘scientific method’
The stylite-worship of science by many non-scientists does not help such a situation at all. We have had, amazingly, senior politicians stating with all the authority that total ignorance confers on the stupid, that the ‘AGW argument is over’ And so enthralled are our politicians at the apotheosis pf science, that they agree to introduce utterly damaging and futile legislation to support this particular scientific dogma
Surely Science is being damaged by the dogmatic support of many scientists for this unproven dogma
They should be lauding the sceptics as the true scientists, not congratulating the dogmatists for their possibly-false dagma
In fact, according to Popper, to do that is to contradict the so-called 'scientific method’, which, if there is any such thing, is to attempt at all times to refute scientific hypotheses. Poppers hypothesis is that scientific 'truths' can never be proved and that the only valid test of a scientific hypothesis is if it withstands all attempt at refutation. In fact very few scientific hypotheses over the centuries have withstood this test - most have fallen in the quest for refutation
And that, of course is a good thing, because science would probably not advance at all if all scientific hypotheses were simply accepted at face value (as many are by non-scientists)
It is interesting to note that most scientific theories are really no different from dogma. A dogma is something that is accepted by a group of people without any ‘proof’’. Many Scientists believe their hypotheses are ‘true’ whilst being quite unable to furnish any proof that they are so. It is the real purpose of science (according to Popper) to attempt to debunk scientific dogma
Now AGW is a prime example of scientific dogma in action. Many in the scientific community assert without the slightest doubt that changes in the earth’s climate are the result of human activity – especially the emission of CO2.
As a scientific hypothesis this is entirely valid, but for many scientists to assert that this is that truth quite contradicts the ‘scientific method’, which must seek to show that a scientific dogma is not true.
We find ourselves in the odd position of the AGW dogma being asserted as true with the same vehemence as a Latter Day Saint asserts that the Bible is ‘true’. Scientists are reducing the nobility of science to the same level as religious zealotry. They abhor and deride those scientists that follow the scientific method seeking to show that their dogma is untrue. Such opposition is treated with contempt as ‘anti-science’, whereas that AGW Sceptics are simply following the true ‘scientific method’
The stylite-worship of science by many non-scientists does not help such a situation at all. We have had, amazingly, senior politicians stating with all the authority that total ignorance confers on the stupid, that the ‘AGW argument is over’ And so enthralled are our politicians at the apotheosis pf science, that they agree to introduce utterly damaging and futile legislation to support this particular scientific dogma
Surely Science is being damaged by the dogmatic support of many scientists for this unproven dogma
They should be lauding the sceptics as the true scientists, not congratulating the dogmatists for their possibly-false dagma
