“Isms” of science
'Isms' of science" is an articles writen by Dr. Rebecca Keller who is the head of Gravitas Publications they produce science textbooks. Dr. Keller points out the difference between the practice of science and the interpretation of science. She makes the comparison by using the current debate about global warming (GW) stating that collecting scientific data of the amount of carbon emitted into the atmosphere, temperatures of the ocean and atmosphere, etc. She calls this is the practice of science. Determining if the data is causing GW, global cooling, or if carbon emissions effect the climate at all is the interpretation of science. This interpretation of science is actually a philosophy of science and the current philosophy of science is scientific materialism. In explaining scientific materialism Dr. Keller puts it this way:
Scientific materialism is the current philosophy that guides and interprets most of modern science. Most scientists are unaware that they operate from within this interpretative framework and as a result it has become science. But scientific materialism is not science. It is one way to interpret scientific information.”
Dr. Keller refers to a book written by Alan Wallace who refers to scientific materialism as isms” and breaks the isms” down to:
1. Objectivism – only the physical world is real anything outside the physical world is not real.
2. The closure principle – nothing other than material influences affect the material world.
3. Physical Reductionism – we are the only the sum of our parts, not more than the sum of our parts.
4. Universalism – physical laws are the same everywhere.
5. Metaphysical Realism – the objective universe can be known by the subjective mind.
Dr. Keller writes that scientific materialism can not adequately explain scientific information. She then uses an example from her biophysics and molecular biology background. She points out that the cell that is engineered in such a complex way that it appears to be more than the sum of its parts so physical reductionism may not hold.” Then the question of how was the cell engineered makes so that objectivism may not hold.” If these two do not hold this would bring the other "isms" into question in interpreting the scientific information.
Refusing to allow questions outside of the dogma of scientific materialism” to be raised and authentic scientific inquiry is eliminated” science becaomes stagnate. For science to move forward Dr. Keller states:
To get unstuck from the rut of dogmatic science, everyone should own their isms. Scientific materialism as an interpretative framework (and not defined as science) provides an important contribution to scientific investigation. But so do other perspectives. The controversy stirred b Intelligent Design has stimulated some research in the area of evolutionary biology, molecular biology, systems biology etc. (along with a lot of pain and suffering for those who dare challenge the dominate Darwinian paradigm). Creationism has also stimulated research in geology and cosmology. And all three perspectives can flourish from the pressure and controversies posed by the opposing viewpoints. If everyone comes to the table and owns their isms, then authentic dialog can take place and real science can move forward.”
I believe Dr. Keller has nailed the situation on the head allowing open discussion about the interpretation of the scientific information will only serve to move science forward. As long as everyone understands that their interpretations of the scientific information is just that; their own ism” and not everyone will agree with it.
For the unseen things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things made, both His eternal power and Godhead, for them to be without excuse. Because knowing God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful. But they became vain in their reasonings, and their undiscerning heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became foolish and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into a likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things. Because of this, God gave them up to impurity in the lusts of their hearts, their bodies to be dishonored among themselves, who changed the truth of God into the lie, and worshiped and served the created thing more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen (Rom. 1: 20-25).
Blog can be found at:
http://www.gravitaspublications.com/index... ic_materialism/
RSB
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Author: rsbarclay
Location: Tower Minnesota USA
Gender: Male
Age: 57
Blog Entries: 16 (archive)
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