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The Forum > Article Comments > Scientific revelation still fails to convert the masses > Comments

Scientific revelation still fails to convert the masses : Comments

By Brian Holden, published 5/10/2011

Scientific advances haven't defeated superstition, just caused it to mutate into the New Age.

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A bizarre piece, for sure.

>>How much more do the masses need to be witness to before finally appreciating that evidence-based knowledge is the only knowledge upon which decisions are to be based?<<

The "only" basis? Hardly.

That's a pretty harsh line to draw, Mr Holden. I know that you were simply separating the "scientific" from your example of "mind-body-spirit faith", but you have excluded the entire dimension of human emotion. Arguably, it is the critical difference between ourselves and plant life. At the very least it is a highly recognizable human characteristic, one that is present in both pure scientists and new-agers.

If "science" were the basis of every decision we make, why would we bother to get out of bed. Bacon and eggs must be one of the most profoundly non-scientific breakfasts possible, after all.

Some people need their religion, or new-age chants, or watching the footy on a Saturday afternoon. Sometimes it is even essential, in that it provides a necessary defence against evidence-based knowledge. Given that the latter tells us clearly not only that we are all going to die pretty soon, cosmically speaking, but also that the earth will perish, sometime before the heat-death of the universe.

What basis is that upon which to make rational decisions?
Posted by Pericles, Wednesday, 5 October 2011 12:19:07 PM
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I am with you Pericles, Wednesday, 5 October 2011 12:19:07 PM .
Altho you will agree no doubt what an expert is ; you might care to shine the light on what a "Scientist" is.

BS has baffled brains for centuries but now BS Artists dominate politics

and Science we are in a dire position.
And should you harbor doubts a cursory examination of Fiscal Science will no doubt scare somewhat and results of any inquiry of integrity
would have to include BS many times and "never believe a Scientist" should be etched into our minds.
Posted by Garum Masala, Wednesday, 5 October 2011 1:56:41 PM
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"Science-think is obsessed with evidence."

What a sweeping statement! It certainly does not apply in respect of anthropogenic global warming (AGW), the socalled 'moral challenge' of our time ('immoral challenge' would be more apt).

Professor Ian Lowe begins his book, ‘A Big Fix’, by stating that he is a scientist, but then (on page 86) explains how we should abandon the traditional scientific method in favour of ‘sustainability science’ which ‘differs fundamentally from most science as we know it’. Lowe writes that, ‘The traditional scientific method is based on sequential phases of inquiry, conceptualising the problem, collecting data, developing theories, then applying the results. … Sustainability science will have to employ new methods, such as semi-quantitative modelling of qualitative data, or inverse approaches that work backwards from undesirable consequences to identify better ways to progress’.

With regard to the IPCC's AGW hypothesis that human-caused greenhouse gases cause dangerous global warming, the socalled climate scientists turned away from traditional scientific method, as it failed to produce the required scientific evidence to support their political agenda.

Instead, those scientists used 'sustainability science' to promote their case that human-caused dangerous global warming is real. They developed climate models with assumptions tailored to produce the alarmist outcomes, that then were presented to, and accepted unquestionably by, the media (e.g. the ABC) and our politicians.
Posted by Raycom, Wednesday, 5 October 2011 11:01:17 PM
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Raycom, Wednesday, 5 October 2011 11:01:17 PM

Thanks Raycom you post is a ripper and a welcome enlightenment .

The damage these Goons are doing to our Country will be immense mob hysteria the biggest Crap since Goebbels very sad for our Land .
Posted by Garum Masala, Thursday, 6 October 2011 1:45:30 AM
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The important difference in today's West: we may have just as many lunatics, but they are no longer running the asylum. In general -- and unfortunately with many exceptions -- we can rely on our leaders to make decisions using the methods of science rather than prayer, human sacrifice or astrology. Bit by bit, kicking and screaming, the supernaturalists are being edged out of the positions of power and prestige that they have long demonstrated their utter unfitness to fill.
Posted by Jon J, Thursday, 6 October 2011 6:30:23 AM
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Scientific morals on display: Nuclear weapons, gas chambers, abortion clinics.

"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones"

Christian morals on display: Hospitals, universities, schools.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
Posted by progressive pat, Thursday, 6 October 2011 9:50:47 AM
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