On 09/05/2006, at 6:46 AM, Andrew Paul wrote:
From: Charlie Bell
Thus, prior to the invention of scientific methods, nobody knew
anything.
It must have been a weird, weird world.
The "scientific method" boils down to "trial and error, repeat what
works". Without that, and the ability to remember the errors, nobody
*did* know anything. The concept of knowledge itself means nothing
without that.
Well, to be fair, humans have always had a sort of built in scientific
method of sorts haven't they? Trial and error as you put it. The
Method
is really just a fancy name for a formalised way of thinking (and
sharing those thoughts in a safe and consensual way). So people
noticed
that the sun always seemed to rise over there, they knew it. Or people
*knew* which way was up, they just didn't know why it was, or how it
worked. Unlike now when we .. umm, still don't know, but can say
that in
a much longer way.
Exactly what I'm saying. Humans have always had that - it's precisely
what makes us human. :) So when Nick says "prior to the invention of
scientific methods... ...it must have been a weird, weird world" he's
right. It was weird 'cause there weren't any people in it. That
humans have spent most of prehistory and history coming up with wrong
answers is fine - that's how it works. We're gradually getting closer
to the right answers.
Charlie
_______________________________________________
http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
