A Mission on the Nethernet about how Science is assaulted when it conflicts with Dogma
This is a post, for completeness and awareness sake, in regards to the new mission I’ve just created in PMOG
Initially the plan was just to type a short post with a link to the mission for anyone who wants to take it, but since I write pretty long descriptions, I think it would be a shame to just lose them. To this end, I’ve decided to post the whole descriptions, along with the links to the mission articles themselves, which will also serve as a notification to the blog authors that they’ve been linked to.
So, my newest mission is The War on Science.
If you have a PMOG account, you should already be taking it and if not, well…get one already 😉
Description
However, this pure and neutral attempt of humanity to understand the world around it has been coming more and more under attack in recent years because it casts light into the shadows that people use to hold onto power
Follow me into a dangerous mission to understand why this is happening and how.
The Mission
Reining In the Fallacious Human Belief Machine
Our first stop is a more relaxed presentation of the Scientific Method (than a wikipedia article that is) and the classic problems you run into if you avoid it.
It is an unfortunate fact that human reasoning alone is not sufficient to understand the world. We are simply to error prone and this is why 2000 years of philosophy have not accomplished even a bit of what science did.
Why Things Suck: Science
But if science has managed to provide us with so much in its short time of use, why is it creating so many negative feelings?
Short answer: It makes us look bad,
Skepticism and Informed Consensus
But of course, science is not at war with everyone. Indeed, it is an invaluable boon to sceptics everywhere as it provides a rock-solid base for their beliefs.
The ability to question theories which go against real knowledge without having to “re-invent the wheel” every time is a great resource that helps to debunk and refute unrealistic or dangerous beliefs
The “Radio Wave” Argument
It is a common tactic of science-opponents to claim knowledge of something undiscovered or to hide in the gaps of our knowledge
But what people do not understand is that this is useless. Claiming to be able to see, feel or hear something no one else can, is of use to no one but yourself. And even that is disputable
Science vs. religion: no contest.
It is common for Science to be misrepresented as an “Atheist’s religion”, especially by religious proponents.
In truth, science has no direct relation with atheism other than the fact that it is, often enough, a fortunate result.
Science is not here to assault religion but it also does not care to appease it by conforming to it.
The Value of Science in Education
Science is oft misunderstood for it’s lack of absolute answers. While it can occasionally give you very high probabilities, it will never give you a 100% answer.
But is this a weakness? Far from it. It is, in fact, its greatest strength.
Lysenkoisml
But is religion and superstition the only enemy? No.
Every belief that is unfounded in evidence has the habit of turning against science when truth does not conform to its wishes.
Witness how the Soviet Union in its anti-capitalistic fervor ignored the scientific findings, with catastrophic results for its food production.
Inhofe’s 400 Global Warming Deniers Debunked
The most high profile wars on science at this moment happen on the fronts of Evolution – from religious opponents – and Global Warming.
You see, where religion attempts to discredit the scientific method, the vested interests behind Global Warming denial are waging a war of misinformation, attempting to slow down governments acting on what Science has discovered in order to retain profits.
It has happened before with the Tobacco industries, and it is happening yet again.
Incredible Machine Full Version “AKA Pipe dream”
But science does not have to always be boring and difficult. As previous articles have said, there is beauty in science.
I will leave you thus with an amazing video of a purely mechanical construct that by using the laws of physics can produce a wonderful result.
Hey, this is a pretty good carnival. Thanks for including my post on the Value of Science in Education.
Mike