My message is not that biological determinists were bad scientists or
even that they were always wrong. Rather, I believe that science must be
understood as a social phenomenon, a gutsy, human enterprise, not the work of
robots programmed to collect pure information. I also present this view as
an upbeat for science, not as a gloomy epitaph for a noble hope sacrificed on
the alter of human limitations.
I believe that a factual reality exists and that science, though often
in an obtuse and erratic manner, can learn about it. Galileo was not shown
the instruments of torture in an abstract debate about lunar motion. He had
threatened the Church's conventional argument for social and doctrinal
stability: the static world order with planets circling about a central
earth, priests subordinate to the Pope and serfs to their lord. But the
Church soon made its peace with Galileo's cosmology. They had no choice; the
earth really does revolve about the sun.
-- S.J. Gould, "The Mismeasure of Man"
even that they were always wrong. Rather, I believe that science must be
understood as a social phenomenon, a gutsy, human enterprise, not the work of
robots programmed to collect pure information. I also present this view as
an upbeat for science, not as a gloomy epitaph for a noble hope sacrificed on
the alter of human limitations.
I believe that a factual reality exists and that science, though often
in an obtuse and erratic manner, can learn about it. Galileo was not shown
the instruments of torture in an abstract debate about lunar motion. He had
threatened the Church's conventional argument for social and doctrinal
stability: the static world order with planets circling about a central
earth, priests subordinate to the Pope and serfs to their lord. But the
Church soon made its peace with Galileo's cosmology. They had no choice; the
earth really does revolve about the sun.
-- S.J. Gould, "The Mismeasure of Man"
Related:
- The stars are made of the same atoms as the earth." I usually pick one
small topic like this to give a lecture on.
Poets say science takes away from the beauty of the... - A serious public debate about the validity of astrology?
A serious believer in the White House? Two of them... - It is a blessed thing that in every age some one has had individuality
enough and courage enough to stand by his own convictions.
I believe it was Magellan who said, "The church says... - In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a
really good argument;
my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually... - In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really
good argument;
my position is mistaken,' and then they actually change... - saga n.
[WPI] A cuspy but bogus raving story about N
random broken people.
Here is a classic example of the saga form, as told... - If science were explained to the average person in a way that is accessible
and exciting,
there would be no room for pseudoscience. But there... - I myself have dreamed up a structure intermediate between Dyson spheres
and planets.
Build a ring 93 million miles in radius -- one Earth... - Jacques: First, you must get to know your lane. Feel the slickness,
feel the slippery finish. Caresses it, experience it...
From the same category:
- The Vogon Constructor Fleet coasted away into the inky
starry void... - You know our love was meant to be
The kind of love
that lasts forever --... - I'd give my right arm to be able to
touch type... - Fashion, n. A despot whom the wise ridicule and obey.
Ambrose Bierce "The Devil's... - Have you got your income tax papers yet? They've done away with all those
silly questions now.
There are only three questions on the form: ...
