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We need to distinguish between
-- asserting a scientific fact, versus
-- trying to _prove_ a fact using PbBA.
There's nothing wrong with an assertion, as long as
you don't pretend that the assertion is a proof.
I like your point here,
but I know my students come to me proving almost
everything they know by reference to the pronouncement of some authority.
This past week I began the new year by asking my students to think about
what a contrail was and how they were produced. As I talked with several
groups the thought that the cold temperatures at high altitude was part of
the story inevitably came up. When I asked what made them think it was cold
at 30,000 feet they refereed to all kinds of authorities from Discovery
Channel to an uncle in the Air Force. It took several minutes of discussion
before a few began to think about snow capped mountains and hail falling
from the sky and things like that. Without a good deal of prodding they
never would have thought beyond reference to authority.