Re: [Phys-L] Imagine a World Without Religion

[Bernard Cleyet <bernard@cleyet.org>]

On 2015, Dec 05, , at 12:33, Bernard Cleyet <bernard@cleyet.org> wrote:

> p.s.   This is just an estimate, but surely these “rogue” posts are less then several % of the total, no?   But engender such “vociferous” complaint.  Not BTW, that conversation (Imagine a world …) was much longer than the average;  surely indicative that some “rogue” posts are of general interest.  


Wrong!  

It was long on another list, and migrated to phys-l.  


And my suggestion: 

"My final thought(s):    I agree some of the posts are rather distant from physics teaching.  However, by posting controversials (sorry for the neologism) that may engender thought which increases crit. thinking.”  

Had been made much earlier:  Aaaa, maybe.  

On 2015, Jan 17, , at 17:48, kirby urner <kirby.urner@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> I think "cognitive dissonance" hampers learning and students saddled with
> belief systems seemingly at odds with the physics under study would be more
> likely to find these beliefs hinder rather than help, given "cognitive
> friction" and all that.
>
> Cognitive friction happens within physics itself e.g. if you're a Newtonian
> trying to figure out about why all this fuss about dead-or-alive cats or
> whatever.
>
> That's an argument for not dismissing "R-word" posts out of hand, given the
> learning research theme.  Statistical studies might be done, about which
> religious backgrounds seem least conducive to physics learning.  The
> literature must be vast already. :-D



bc