Re: Intelligent Design Invading Liberal Classrooms (was: South Park tau

"mmeron@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx" bravely wrote to "All" (21 Nov 05 18:20:04)
--- on the heady topic of "Re: Intelligent Design Invading Liberal Classrooms
(was: South Park tau"

mm> Subject: Re: Intelligent Design Invading Liberal Classrooms (was:
mm> South Park taunting Scientology) From: mmeron@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
mm> Xref: core-easynews sci.astro:451466 sci.astro.amateur:708287
mm> sci.physics:1114985 sci.skeptic:715964 sci.archaeology:272984


mm> In article <MPG.1dec0f9a6b917a969897c7@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
mm> naw@xxxxxxxx writes: >In article <Egggf.4$45.586@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
mm> mmeron@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >says...
>>
>> Alchemy was by no means a crackpot idea at Newton's time. One should
>> never attempt to judge actions and thoughts using information which
>> was not available at the time said actions and thoughts occured.
>>
>
>Alchemy was based on fantasy not science not logic not evidence not
>common sense just wishful thinking.

mm> What do you think science is based on? On trying things and checking
mm> what happens. Where do you think evidence comes from? From trying
mm> things and finding out what happens. According to your poor
mm> substitute for logic, nothing should ever be tried for the first
mm> time:-)

It is much worse than that: a lot of science is fortuitous discovery.
For example a scientist is trying an experiment with a set goal in
mind but then he notices something else, sometimes totally unrelated
to the original investigation, which might be a breakthrough.
(Penzias & Wilson's discovery of the CMBR comes to mind.)

I heard that Newton, the alchemist, kept careful notes and analysed
the results carefully. The experiments were intended to be repeatable
after all. How could one make the "Philospher's Stone" again if one
couldn't repeat the procedure...?!

A*s*i*m*o*v

.... Gee, Mr.Wizard... aren't nuclear reactors dangerous?

.

Relevant Pages

  • The Ignoble Origins of Science
    ... Scientists delight in disparaging mystics and those on spiritual ... Science was created for those who were ... It is commonly agreed that alchemy is the progenitor of science. ... be found but few reliable books on the Hermetic Philosophy, ...
    (sci.med.nutrition)
  • Re: The Ignoble Origins of Science
    ... > and in an ad hoc manner, few scientists will allow that one's moral ... Science was created for those who were ... > It is commonly agreed that alchemy is the progenitor of science. ... > be found but few reliable books on the Hermetic Philosophy, ...
    (sci.med.nutrition)
  • Re: The Ignoble Origins of Science
    ... > and in an ad hoc manner, few scientists will allow that one's moral ... Science was created for those who were ... > It is commonly agreed that alchemy is the progenitor of science. ... > be found but few reliable books on the Hermetic Philosophy, ...
    (sci.med.nutrition)
  • Re: Slate: The Legend of the Scope Trial
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    (rec.arts.sf.fandom)
  • Re: The Ignoble Origins of Science
    ... The Ignoble Origins of Science ... Scientists delight in disparaging mystics and those on spiritual ... It is commonly agreed that alchemy is the progenitor of science. ... from the mystic psychology has grown the modern ...
    (sci.med.nutrition)