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Author Topic:   Helping a Friend about the Nature of Science
Rrhain
Member
Posts: 6351
From: San Diego, CA, USA
Joined: 05-03-2003


Message 28 of 41 (581908)
09-18-2010 2:18 AM
Reply to: Message 27 by Yrreg
09-17-2010 11:51 PM


Yrreg asks:
quote:
What is the role of chance in science?
Um, I'm not sure what you're getting. I can only provide a couple of directions to go looking. Check into quantum mechanics and chaos theory.
From quantum mechanics, we come to the conclusion that at the smallest levels, existence is really more of a probability curve rather than an exact thing. Something exists at a certain place not because it really does but simply because it is highly probable that it is.
From chaos theory, we recognize that complex systems can be incredibly sensitive to initial conditions. For example, weather systems become more and more difficult to forecast into the future due to the random interactions of the various parts of the system (air masses, water masses, land masses, energy output, etc.) Because of that, slightly different starting positions can lead to vastly different outcomes.
I guess what would help is if you could define what you mean by "chance" and why you think science doesn't include it as a factor.

Rrhain

Thank you for your submission to Science. Your paper was reviewed by a jury of seventh graders so that they could look for balance and to allow them to make up their own minds. We are sorry to say that they found your paper "bogus," specifically describing the section on the laboratory work "boring." We regret that we will be unable to publish your work at this time.

Minds are like parachutes. Just because you've lost yours doesn't mean you can use mine.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 27 by Yrreg, posted 09-17-2010 11:51 PM Yrreg has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 29 by Yrreg, posted 09-19-2010 4:38 PM Rrhain has replied

  
Rrhain
Member
Posts: 6351
From: San Diego, CA, USA
Joined: 05-03-2003


Message 32 of 41 (582090)
09-19-2010 6:40 PM
Reply to: Message 29 by Yrreg
09-19-2010 4:38 PM


Yrreg responds to me:
quote:
There is something that exists even on the quantum level, that is admitted by scientists, no?
Without knowing what you mean by "something," I would have to say no. Please define your terms so that we can know what you're talking about.
quote:
There is something that exists even in chaos as postulated by scientists.
Again, without knowing what you mean by "something," I would have to say no. Please define your terms so that we can know what you're talking about.
quote:
What is chance in science?
That's my question to you. As I asked you directly, what do you mean by "chance" and why do you think science doesn't include it as a factor?
quote:
If no one believes that chance is any cause of anything at all, that is fine by me.
Again, what do you mean by "chance" and why do you think science doesn't include it as a factor?
quote:
You bring in chaos, I would like to ask you what you mean by chaos in science.
Nice try, but that's my question to you: What do you mean by "chance" and why do you think science doesn't include it as a factor?

Rrhain

Thank you for your submission to Science. Your paper was reviewed by a jury of seventh graders so that they could look for balance and to allow them to make up their own minds. We are sorry to say that they found your paper "bogus," specifically describing the section on the laboratory work "boring." We regret that we will be unable to publish your work at this time.

Minds are like parachutes. Just because you've lost yours doesn't mean you can use mine.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 29 by Yrreg, posted 09-19-2010 4:38 PM Yrreg has not replied

  
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