Is science inherently atheistic? - Page 39

tsig · 12th June 2012, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by laca

No, that's wrong. I may very well choose to hold my breath for 10 minutes but I will pass out before that because of a hardwired preference.

No offense, westprog, but I don't feel like continuing this with you. It's leading nowhere. Again.

He'll never give up his magic bean.

dafydd · 12th June 2012, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by tsig

Do you chose to breathe?

And is it a scientific decision?

westprog · 12th June 2012, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by laca

No, that's wrong. I may very well choose to hold my breath for 10 minutes but I will pass out before that because of a hardwired preference.

To refer to a physiological necessity as a "preference" seems to be stretching things, but the fact is, the choice of what book to read is as physiological and formed by evolutionary pressures as fainting from loss of oxygen. Both are entirely describable in scientific terms, and neither are scientific choices.

Quote:

No offense, westprog, but I don't feel like continuing this with you. It's leading nowhere. Again.

I can see that. There are two conflicting demands and it can't be very pleasant trying to balance them. Well, participation is voluntary. I'm not engaging with everyone on this thread either.

AlBell · 13th June 2012, 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by dafydd

With an idiosyncratic definition of the word ''science'', yes.

I may be mistaken, but I thought you had agreed that 'sciency things that control the 4 forces' is not science as humans use the word science.

I haven't seen you attempt to engage with the is/ought problem.

I'm pretty sure we all agree science is not inherently atheistic (back on actual formal topic).

AlBell · 13th June 2012, 07:51 AM

Originally Posted by laca

No, that's wrong. I may very well choose to hold my breath for 10 minutes but I will pass out before that because of a hardwired preference.

That of course has nothing to do with choice.

Quote:

No offense, westprog, but I don't feel like continuing this with you. It's leading nowhere. Again.

Your comments certainly aren't adding anything.

westprog · 13th June 2012, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by AlBell

I may be mistaken, but I thought you had agreed that 'sciency things that control the 4 forces' is not science as humans use the word science.

Over and over again we've discussed the difference between the human mind operating according to scientific principles, and people using science to make decisions. It's been said so often now that if anyone continues to mix the two up, it's for reasons of obfuscation rather than clarification.

Yes	77	46.39%
No	68	40.96%
On Planet X, God is a scientist	21	12.65%
Voters: 166. You may not vote on this poll

12th June 2012, 02:20 PM	#1522
dafydd Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Belgium (Flatland) Posts: 31,480	Originally Posted by tsig Do you chose to breathe? And is it a scientific decision?
	__________________ Yesterday upon the stairs I met a man who wasn't there He wasn't there again today I wish that he would go away.

12th June 2012, 04:10 PM	#1523
westprog Philosopher Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 8,928	Originally Posted by laca No, that's wrong. I may very well choose to hold my breath for 10 minutes but I will pass out before that because of a hardwired preference. To refer to a physiological necessity as a "preference" seems to be stretching things, but the fact is, the choice of what book to read is as physiological and formed by evolutionary pressures as fainting from loss of oxygen. Both are entirely describable in scientific terms, and neither are scientific choices. Quote: No offense, westprog, but I don't feel like continuing this with you. It's leading nowhere. Again. I can see that. There are two conflicting demands and it can't be very pleasant trying to balance them. Well, participation is voluntary. I'm not engaging with everyone on this thread either.
westprog Philosopher Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 8,928	__________________ Dreary whiner, who gradually outwore his welcome, before blowing it entirely.

13th June 2012, 07:33 AM	#1524
AlBell Philosopher Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 5,504	Originally Posted by dafydd With an idiosyncratic definition of the word ''science'', yes. I may be mistaken, but I thought you had agreed that 'sciency things that control the 4 forces' is not science as humans use the word science. I haven't seen you attempt to engage with the is/ought problem. I'm pretty sure we all agree science is not inherently atheistic (back on actual formal topic).
AlBell Philosopher Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 5,504

13th June 2012, 07:51 AM	#1525
AlBell Philosopher Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 5,504	Originally Posted by laca No, that's wrong. I may very well choose to hold my breath for 10 minutes but I will pass out before that because of a hardwired preference. That of course has nothing to do with choice. Quote: No offense, westprog, but I don't feel like continuing this with you. It's leading nowhere. Again. Your comments certainly aren't adding anything.
AlBell Philosopher Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 5,504

12th June 2012, 01:53 PM	#1521
tsig a carbon based life-form Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 26,777	Originally Posted by laca No, that's wrong. I may very well choose to hold my breath for 10 minutes but I will pass out before that because of a hardwired preference. No offense, westprog, but I don't feel like continuing this with you. It's leading nowhere. Again. He'll never give up his magic bean.

13th June 2012, 08:41 AM	#1526
westprog Philosopher Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 8,928	Originally Posted by AlBell I may be mistaken, but I thought you had agreed that 'sciency things that control the 4 forces' is not science as humans use the word science. Over and over again we've discussed the difference between the human mind operating according to scientific principles, and people using science to make decisions. It's been said so often now that if anyone continues to mix the two up, it's for reasons of obfuscation rather than clarification.
westprog Philosopher Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 8,928	__________________ Dreary whiner, who gradually outwore his welcome, before blowing it entirely.