Pseudoskepticism and evidence for precognition

Discussion in 'Science & Society' started by Magical Realist, May 17, 2011.

  1. Magical Realist Valued Senior Member

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    Is it scientific to be skeptical of a phenomena just because you don't believe it to be possible? OR..is it more scientific to accept the possibility of a phenomena when real evidence for it is obtained?


    Check this out:


    Is Precognition Real? Cornell University Lab Releases Powerful New Evidence that the Human Mind can Perceive the Future
    http://hplusmagazine.com/2010/11/04...eleases-powerful-new-evidence-human-mind-can/
     
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  3. Dywyddyr Penguinaciously duckalicious. Valued Senior Member

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  5. Varda The Bug Lady Valued Senior Member

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    It's scientific to be skeptical of all phenomena.
     
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  7. wynn ˙ Valued Senior Member

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    Including skepticism?
     
  8. Varda The Bug Lady Valued Senior Member

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    Of course... that's why there are measures to address concerns for bias and conflict of interest in pretty much everything.
     
  9. wynn ˙ Valued Senior Member

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    But is anyone skeptical about those measures for addressing concerns for bias and conflict of interest?
     
  10. Varda The Bug Lady Valued Senior Member

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    I think everyone is.
     
  11. wynn ˙ Valued Senior Member

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    The modern reductionist dogma dictates us to believe that we presume too much to be real, and that in reality, there are fewer things than are dreamt of in our philosophy.

    Secondly, modern science is generally aimed toward debunking stuff that has been believed for a long time, not toward finding new truths.
     
  12. wynn ˙ Valued Senior Member

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    Then what's the point of keeping to those measures, if everyone is skeptical about them?
     
  13. Varda The Bug Lady Valued Senior Member

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    To make the person accused of bias feel better about himself.
     
  14. Dywyddyr Penguinaciously duckalicious. Valued Senior Member

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    I disagree.
    Science finds out new truths that incidentally debunk stuff that has been believed for a long time.
    There's a difference.
     
  15. wynn ˙ Valued Senior Member

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    Really? Tell that to those who fund scientific research.

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  16. wynn ˙ Valued Senior Member

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    How unscientific!
     
  17. Dywyddyr Penguinaciously duckalicious. Valued Senior Member

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    You think?
    Someone gives a budget and says "show X is wrong"?
    Or do they hand out money to investigate aspects of the universe that possibly have a pre-existing explanation?

    I can't think of any scientist I've met who was under the impression his job was debunking old "knowledge", rather they thought they were extending the boundaries and "investigating the unknown".
     
  18. wynn ˙ Valued Senior Member

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    Official justifications are always so formidable, aren't they?
     
  19. Varda The Bug Lady Valued Senior Member

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    Tell me about it.
     
  20. Varda The Bug Lady Valued Senior Member

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    Show that tobacco does not cause addiction.
    Show that GMOs do not cause health hazards.
     
  21. Dywyddyr Penguinaciously duckalicious. Valued Senior Member

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    Are they the questions asked?
    Or is it "Is tobacco addictive?" and "Are GMOs hazardous to health?"
    The way you phrased the questions pre-supposes the answer...
     
  22. Varda The Bug Lady Valued Senior Member

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    It doesn't matter what the answer is, that is not what I am paying you for. I want you to show that my product doesn't pose risk to the population and you better show it or you're in the gutter.
     
  23. Dywyddyr Penguinaciously duckalicious. Valued Senior Member

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    Then that's not science, is it?
    It's a "political/ business" decision on what results be presented, not what the results actually are.
    And how many cases have there been when someone has done that - presented skewed "conclusions" by suppressing the genuine results - only to have the actual ones exposed later?
     

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