Hi, Dick.

I don't have much time to write, so I'll have to make this quick. I can probably go over your whole post later tonight.

"Everyone's answer to that problem seems to be "there is no problem - we have a concept of reality and it is correct". Even you seem to be falling back to that position."

I think there are two versions of the "By guess and by golly" method. Method one, the one that you refer to, is saying "I'm right, the current state of science is its final incarnation." The second method, and the one I think I fall into, is "I know I'm not totally right, but since I am incapable of advancing scientific knowledge myself, we can only wait until something debunks today's science until progress can be made."

You have to be careful about your theory. It IS true, but you seem to be advocating "Since you won't be right no matter what you think, if you hold any opinion you are being selfish." I don't think so. I would say that as long as we are moving in the right direction, and as long as we acknowledge that we will never be totally correct, it's fine. What is the solution to your problem, Dick? Do we deal with the world as best we can or do we say "It's hopeless?"

• Isn't rational more important than pragmatic? - aurino - July 26, 2001 - 16:15 UTC
  • The epistemological problem exists - harvey1 - July 26, 2001 - 20:24 UTC
    • Glad to hear that - aurino - July 26, 2001 - 20:58 UTC
      • Some points of departure - harvey1 - July 26, 2001 - 22:04 UTC
        • Some thoughts - aurino - July 27, 2001 - 13:40 UTC
          • I think you understand a lot more than most. - doctordick - July 27, 2001 - 17:49 UTC
            • Since I've been mentioned - harvey1 - July 27, 2001 - 19:29 UTC
              • Kuhn reference (correction) - harvey1 - July 27, 2001 - 19:31 UTC
              • (i.Assuming if the right experiment were done! - doctordick - July 29, 2001 - 15:01 UTC
      • Don't get me wrong - harvey1 - July 27, 2001 - 14:52 UTC
        • Don't worry about that - aurino - July 27, 2001 - 16:15 UTC
          • The meaning of life - stormcrow - July 27, 2001 - 16:36 UTC
          • How about curiosity? - doctordick - July 27, 2001 - 18:54 UTC
            • When you read - harvey1 - July 27, 2001 - 21:22 UTC
              • When I read... - stormcrow - July 28, 2001 - 00:54 UTC
        • FAPP - harvey1 - July 27, 2001 - 17:42 UTC
    • I consider myself an absolute realist! - doctordick - July 27, 2001 - 14:22 UTC
      • Hello - harvey1 - July 27, 2001 - 15:31 UTC