Comments on: A train (wreck) of (religious) thoughts http://biopinionated.com/2009/02/01/a-train-wreck-of-religious-thoughts/ Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:42:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: sciphu http://biopinionated.com/2009/02/01/a-train-wreck-of-religious-thoughts/#comment-342 Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:06:07 +0000 http://biopinionated.com/?p=1422#comment-342 And an even longer answer in this (and upcoming) edge edition(s):

http://www.edge.org/documents/archive/edge272.html

]]> By: sciphu http://biopinionated.com/2009/02/01/a-train-wreck-of-religious-thoughts/#comment-341 Wed, 04 Feb 2009 11:42:06 +0000 http://biopinionated.com/?p=1422#comment-341 “… and don’t we end up relying on belief yet again?”

Short answer – yes !

A bit longer answer – the “(in theory)” was referring to belief and assumptions in interpreting data in science. The data itself I guess is “objective” – the manipulation of that data is objective too, but maybe to a lesser extent. The interpretation of data needs to follow the scientific method to stay as objective as possible, but the assumption and predictions based on scientific data can be much less objective. Especially future predictions on science can become very subjective (Transhumanism and singularity believers comes to mind) to the point where it rivals religion.

Much longer answer – http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/24/opinion/24davies.html?_r=1

]]> By: cmtherapies http://biopinionated.com/2009/02/01/a-train-wreck-of-religious-thoughts/#comment-334 Tue, 03 Feb 2009 22:07:05 +0000 http://biopinionated.com/?p=1422#comment-334 “Technology on the other hand does not take sides. Statistics, mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology are (in theory) completely objective[.]”

What the heck does this mean? Seems like a little bit of deftness with ye olde cerebral cortex, no?
You make good points for chewing on in your post, but the above, when taken strictly, kind of starts you down a slippery slope, does it not?
“Objective (in theory)” implies subjectivity in application. If that is so, well, then, how can we rely on objectivity… and don’t we end up relying on belief yet again?
Use the windshield wipers of logic on mine eyes, aye?
Cheers,
Hugo

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