Comment Not all branches of science are same (Score 0) 2759
The problem with the theory of evolution is that it is treated as equally as other pieces of knowledge in science. Not all pieces of knowledge in science are logically equal. Moreover, school and evolutionists are largely responsible for keeping lay people ignorant of history of science and the dangers of scientism. Materialism has very strong influence on science in the recent centuries. Then, many branches of knowledge are exploiting the reputation of science to make them look better. Too many lay people don't know about them.
There are three different kinds of logic. They are called abduction, induction, and deduction. Deduction is the strongest logic of all. Induction is the next strong logic but it takes only one opposite evidence to fail a theory. Abduction is the weakest logic of all but it is the most powerful logic for generating theories.
Typically, a person encounters a phenomenon. He uses abduction to figure out why it occurs. After he comes up with one or more theories, he uses induction to seek other evidences to prove or disprove theories. If theory can be explained in mathematical or very formal language, he uses deduction to prove the theory is correct.
Mathematics uses most of deduction but also uses abduction to come up with new theories and uses induction for some areas of mathematics (like pi). All branches of science uses different amount of deduction, induction, and abduction. Generally speaking, they can be divided into two groups: Hard science and soft (or speculative) science. Hard science like physics or chemistry uses most of deduction and some of induction. That is because the physics and chemistry are able to use mathematics to prove their theories. But, they do not totally exclude abduction because they need abduction to come up with theories to describe new phenomenon that they have not encountered. Soft science like evolution and behavioral studies uses most of abduction and some of induction. One prominent tool that they use is statistics. Deduction does not rely on statistics but induction and abduction greatly depend on statistics to support their theories.
It is very unfortunate that the evolutionists refuse to allow people to know that not all branches are logically strong. They would prefer to keep them ignorant of the different kinds of logic so that they will not know that some branches are more limited than other branches in term of logic. It is no wonder that they do not have any respect from the true scientists who know that there are limitations on science.
Joseph Pietro Riolo
riolo@voicenet.com
Public domain notice: I put all of my expressions in this comment in the public domain.
There are three different kinds of logic. They are called abduction, induction, and deduction. Deduction is the strongest logic of all. Induction is the next strong logic but it takes only one opposite evidence to fail a theory. Abduction is the weakest logic of all but it is the most powerful logic for generating theories.
Typically, a person encounters a phenomenon. He uses abduction to figure out why it occurs. After he comes up with one or more theories, he uses induction to seek other evidences to prove or disprove theories. If theory can be explained in mathematical or very formal language, he uses deduction to prove the theory is correct.
Mathematics uses most of deduction but also uses abduction to come up with new theories and uses induction for some areas of mathematics (like pi). All branches of science uses different amount of deduction, induction, and abduction. Generally speaking, they can be divided into two groups: Hard science and soft (or speculative) science. Hard science like physics or chemistry uses most of deduction and some of induction. That is because the physics and chemistry are able to use mathematics to prove their theories. But, they do not totally exclude abduction because they need abduction to come up with theories to describe new phenomenon that they have not encountered. Soft science like evolution and behavioral studies uses most of abduction and some of induction. One prominent tool that they use is statistics. Deduction does not rely on statistics but induction and abduction greatly depend on statistics to support their theories.
It is very unfortunate that the evolutionists refuse to allow people to know that not all branches are logically strong. They would prefer to keep them ignorant of the different kinds of logic so that they will not know that some branches are more limited than other branches in term of logic. It is no wonder that they do not have any respect from the true scientists who know that there are limitations on science.
Joseph Pietro Riolo
riolo@voicenet.com
Public domain notice: I put all of my expressions in this comment in the public domain.
