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Re: [Phys-l] Global Evolution as fact



Having co-taught a course in philosophy of science I can tell you that the concept of a "fact" is not well defined in science because scientific "facts" change over time. Some scientists (e.g. Aristotle) once were absolutely sure the earth was at the center of the universe (and they had perfectly good reasons to think so). A second problem is we often teach "facts" that aren't really true (e.g. Newton's laws, Snell's law, etc.). Just about any set of definitions that attempt to distinguish between fact, law and theory either can be shown to be inconsistent or flies against common usage (Kepler's laws are not true but the theory of relativity is).

So what to do if there are no "true facts" (in some set of absolute sense) in science? Here are two ideas that seem to work: 1. Often we are justified in believing certain things to be true, given the evidence we have at hand (at least until there is counter evidence, at which point we are justified and perfectly rational in changing our mind). The overwhelming evidence for evolution and global warming makes it rational to accept as true or factual. You may decide evolution or climate change needs more work, you may not believe it in the same way that you might believe God exists but to be scientific, you really should accept it as a fact (always continent on the possibility of new data!). 2. Often it is rational to accept something as "true for the purpose of". Newton's laws are true for the purpose of building bridges.

Historically science has hardly ever rejected a theory until a better explanation came along. I seriously doubt that evolution or global warming will be dumped until a more comprehensive theory is found.

kyle

On 1/10/11 12:00 PM, phys-l-request@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu wrote:

Today's Topics:

1. Re: Global Evolution as fact (John Denker)
2. Re: Global Evolution as fact (LaMontagne, Bob)
3. Re: Global Evolution as fact (ludwik kowalski)
4. Re: Global Evolution as fact (Woolf, Lawrence)
5. Re: Global Evolution as fact (Jack Uretsky)
6. Re: Global Evolution as fact (Steve Clark)
7. Re: Global Evolution as fact (Spinozalens@aol.com)
8. Naomi Oreskes - Merchants of Doubt (Spinozalens@aol.com)


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'Before you open your mouth, just remember,
the empty wagon rattles the loudest.'
-- my dad

kyle forinash 812-941-2039
kforinas@ius.edu
http://Physics.ius.edu/
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