"If you're scientifically literate the world looks very different to you"

[Actor]

"If you're not scientifically literate you are disenfranchising yourself from the democratic process and you don't even know it."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gK2EEwzjPQ

[DJofSD]

Too many unstated assumptions makes this assertion false.

To tie mastery of a particular method of thinking to being able to have a valid opinion is despicable.

And, the idea that because this noted and respected scientist proffers an idea, it must be valid and true says more about your defective thinking than his.

Science and the scientific method is one way but not the only way.

Yes, the point that a lot of what is before us today both in the areas of public policy and industry depends upon understanding science is valid but it has little to do with the rights of man. Hell, if there is one group of people that proves all of my opinions, just look at the elected bodies throughout the country. How many of those politicians understand science let alone the economy and especially the U. S. Senators and their enumerated powers and duties under the Constitution?

[Actor]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSJFbOfA4SE&feature=related

[DJofSD]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSJFbOfA4SE&feature=related
I like that clip. And, I agree, it would be better, IMO, if the make up of the Congress was more reflective of society at large and not all of the lawyers and professional politicans. And, as much as possible, for my local elections, I will consider the occupation of the candidate as a criteria -- current or former politicans automatically have a strike against them.

[TJDave]

Science and the scientific method is one way but not the only way.


What other valid ways?

[DJofSD]

What other valid ways?
Here's one list: http://www.bcg.com/about_bcg/strategyinstitute/research/modalities_thinking/default.aspx

[TJDave]

Here's one list: http://www.bcg.com/about_bcg/strategyinstitute/research/modalities_thinking/default.aspx

You are comparing apples and oranges. The scientific method proposes no limits on imagination... Simply validating theory.

[DJofSD]

What other valid ways?
The scientific method is just one way to acquire knowledge.

The formal study of how we acquire knowledge is a branch of philosophy called epistemology (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistemology) .

[TJDave]

The scientific method is just one way to acquire knowledge.

Sorry, but I didn't hear him make that connection in the video. Only that it was important to think scientifically.

We agree the acquisition of knowledge can take many forms.

I also think we can agree there is but one way to validate truth.

[Actor]

Here's one list: http://www.bcg.com/about_bcg/strategyinstitute/research/modalities_thinking/default.aspxNone of those methods would have lead to the discovery of evolution, relativity or the quantum theory.

By the way, do you realize that dialectic is Marxist?

[GameTheory]

None of those methods would have lead to the discovery of evolution, relativity or the quantum theory.

By the way, do you realize that dialectic is Marxist?Don't you mean that Marxist theory is dialectic, not that thinking dialectically IS Marxist?

[Actor]

Don't you mean that Marxist theory is dialectic, not that thinking dialectically IS Marxist?If you say so.

When I was about 12 years old some guy from the John Birch Society handed out a whole bunch of literature in my home town. The stuff had a lot about "dialectic" in it. I didn't understand any of it. I still don't. I was just trying to make a joke and apparently not succeeding.