4. In any scientific theory, be wary of the difference between evidence consistent with the theory and evidence for the theory.
5. I realize "Why?" isn't a very scientific question, but... why? Defenders of evolution seem obsessed with Literal Biblical Creation, typically attributing it to Christianity (although at least two other religions follow the same book of Genesis, in which this story appears in the Bible). I've never heard a geologist argue against the idea of the Earth being only so many thousands of years old. Yet, that, if true, would fundamentally upset geology, whereas evolution and Creationism are at least compatable. Why is only one set of scientists upset about this?
6. Another why: Why did "skeptic" become a dirty word in science? (I believe this wording is due to Dr. Crichton) If a biologist is accused of being a "skeptic" of evolution, it's more or less the end of his career. Yet, the history of science is filled with examples of the skeptics being right and ridiculed. It seems to me that biologists should welcome this debate, provided that the skeptics are willing to provide their arguments.
I'm not trying to convince you of one side or another in this debate, as my own mind isn't made up, nor do I expect my mind to be made up any time soon. I just find these to be interesting points that I used to think about in spare cycles (something I rarely have anymore).
Woooow Mike....thanks for writing all that. Clearly you have the mind for arguing and debating. I don't take offense to anything you've said...in fact, I wasn't focusing on the topic at hand, but more of the "how to". I also don't like the sarcasm the site has and glaze over it to pick up key points:
For the example of the False Dilemma Fallacy, to boil it down to simple terms (because I have a very simple mind), I had breakfast this morning. If I didn't eat eggs, then I ate steak. True or false? Well, what if I had bacon, muffins, cheese, etc etc? If someone proves that I didn't eat eggs, that doesn't mean I ate steak.
I'd actually glazed over the part that you quoted. The way I walk away from that quote is, if I didn't eat eggs, then (maybe) I ate steak, and/or bacon, and/or muffins, and/or cheese. The way the author puts it, if I didn't eat eggs, then I ate steak, and bacon, and muffins, and cheese.
Since my mind isn't geared for logical debate, when it came to the real life scenario, all I could do was frown and sense that there was something wrong with the argument without being able to explain why...until months later (because my mind works that slowly).
Which is funny because I realized just now my real life example of Appeal to Fear tactic was linked with False Dilemma Fallacy.
You can take a risk - you either live or you die - there's heaven/hell or nothing - that's black and white. Look into the gray areas...you get badly injured physically and can't move your body, or you become brain-dead (these are debate topics in itself)...or religion X was "right" all along and we go to orgies after death.
Ok, maybe those aren't great examples, or clear cut, and prone to error if you pick it apart.
If I did not eat breakfast, then I did not eat steak. If I did not eat steak, that doesn't mean I did not eat breakfast.
And this is how my communication skills break down - I give examples with metaphors.
I'm glad you liked reading it. I don't think of you as all that slow. Keep in mind that I took a great number of philosophy classes and emphasized classes in philosophy of logic, so the invalid arguments are known by name to me rather quickly.
Anything else worrying you that you'd like my input on?
4. In any scientific theory, be wary of the difference between evidence consistent with the theory and evidence for the theory.
5. I realize "Why?" isn't a very scientific question, but... why? Defenders of evolution seem obsessed with Literal Biblical Creation, typically attributing it to Christianity (although at least two other religions follow the same book of Genesis, in which this story appears in the Bible). I've never heard a geologist argue against the idea of the Earth being only so many thousands of years old. Yet, that, if true, would fundamentally upset geology, whereas evolution and Creationism are at least compatable.
Why is only one set of scientists upset about this?
6. Another why: Why did "skeptic" become a dirty word in science? (I believe this wording is due to Dr. Crichton) If a biologist is accused of being a "skeptic" of evolution, it's more or less the end of his career. Yet, the history of science is filled with examples of the skeptics being right and ridiculed. It seems to me that biologists should welcome this debate, provided that the skeptics are willing to provide their arguments.
I'm not trying to convince you of one side or another in this debate, as my own mind isn't made up, nor do I expect my mind to be made up any time soon. I just find these to be interesting points that I used to think about in spare cycles (something I rarely have anymore).
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For the example of the False Dilemma Fallacy, to boil it down to simple terms (because I have a very simple mind), I had breakfast this morning. If I didn't eat eggs, then I ate steak. True or false? Well, what if I had bacon, muffins, cheese, etc etc? If someone proves that I didn't eat eggs, that doesn't mean I ate steak.
I'd actually glazed over the part that you quoted. The way I walk away from that quote is, if I didn't eat eggs, then (maybe) I ate steak, and/or bacon, and/or muffins, and/or cheese. The way the author puts it, if I didn't eat eggs, then I ate steak, and bacon, and muffins, and cheese.
Since my mind isn't geared for logical debate, when it came to the real life scenario, all I could do was frown and sense that there was something wrong with the argument without being able to explain why...until months later (because my mind works that slowly).
Which is funny because I realized just now my real life example of Appeal to Fear tactic was linked with False Dilemma Fallacy.
You can take a risk - you either live or you die - there's heaven/hell or nothing - that's black and white. Look into the gray areas...you get badly injured physically and can't move your body, or you become brain-dead (these are debate topics in itself)...or religion X was "right" all along and we go to orgies after death.
Ok, maybe those aren't great examples, or clear cut, and prone to error if you pick it apart.
If I did not eat breakfast, then I did not eat steak. If I did not eat steak, that doesn't mean I did not eat breakfast.
And this is how my communication skills break down - I give examples with metaphors.
Reply
Anything else worrying you that you'd like my input on?
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No, I've no worries at this point. Thanky.
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