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Faith  Suspended Member (Idle past 1475 days) Posts: 35298 From: Nevada, USA Joined: |
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Author | Topic: Scientific Fact versus Interpretation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Faith  Suspended Member (Idle past 1475 days) Posts: 35298 From: Nevada, USA Joined: |
On the thread about the Grand Canyon there appeared to be enough information for me to try to point out what bugs me the most about how scientists present their views, confusing their facts with their interpretations of the facts.
If necessary I could try to move all the posts on this side issue over here in order to continue the discussion where it is not off topic. They start at #26 and go through #36 or so. ABE: I DID MOVE MY POSTS #26 through #30, to Message 4 http://< !--UB EvC Forum: Exploring the Grand Canyon, from the bottom up. -->http://EvC Forum: Exploring the Grand Canyon, from the bottom up. -->EvC Forum: Exploring the Grand Canyon, from the bottom up.< !--UE--> This thread could cover both how geology presents its Old Earth interpretations as if they were fact, and how biological science presents ToE interpretations as if they were fact. Irish Rockhound can bring his recent complaints to this thread too. Well-linked I hope. Unfortunately I'm not going to have time to get to this until later. This message has been edited by Faith, 03-15-2006 10:38 AM
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Faith  Suspended Member (Idle past 1475 days) Posts: 35298 From: Nevada, USA Joined: |
My post #26 from the Grand Canyon thread, followed by others. This one starts by responding to jar's OP:
=============================================================== jar writes: I'd like to see explanations for each layer, it's composition, the environment when it was created, Its composition is physical fact, but "the environment when it was created" is all interpretation, explanatory conjecture. Then roxrkool on the Grand Canyon thread, message #6 The simple. This layer averages about 1,700 to 2,000 million years old and consists of mica schist. These were originally sediments of sandstone, limestone and shale that were metamorphosed and combined with metamorphosed lava flows to form the schist. This layer along with the Zoroaster Granite were once the roots of an ancient mountain range that could have been as high as todays Rocky Mountains. The mountains were eroded away over a long period of time and new sediments were they deposited over them by advancing and retreating seas. The color of this layer is dark grey or black. This is a typical description of the sort one gets both about ancient geological events and ancient biological events (the ToE). It is a mixture of factural description with interpretive conjecture presented as fact. Conjecture presented as absolute fact: This layer averages about 1,700 to 2,000 million years old Physical fact (actual science): and consists of mica schist. These were originally sediments of sandstone, limestone and shale that were metamorphosed and combined with metamorphosed lava flows to form the schist. (since this also includes some speculation about how it was formed it's not pure fact) Conjecture presented as absolute fact: This layer along with the Zoroaster Granite were once the roots of an ancient mountain range that could have been as high as todays Rocky Mountains. The mountains were eroded away over a long period of time and new sediments were they deposited over them by advancing and retreating seas. Then she goes on to The technical description: This appears to be physical fact : "The Vishnu Schist consists of pelitic schist and quartz + biotite +muscovite schists interpreted as meta-lithic-arenites, metagraywackes,and calc-silicate lenses and pods. Meta-lithic-arenite and metagraywacke sequences show thick sections (kilometre-scale) of rhythmically banded (centimetre- to metre-scale) coarser and finer layers, with locally well-preserved bedding and graded bedding (Walcott, 1894; Clark, 1976; Fig. 4c). Locally, the Vishnu Schist contains pelitic and semipelitic schists that variably contain andalusite, sillimanite, staurolite, chloritoid, cordierite, and garnet. Original grain size in the Vishnu Schist metasedimentary rocks probably ranged from medium-grained sand to silt and clay.Conglomerates are conspicuously absent in the Vishnu metasedimentary rocks (Campbell and Maxson, 1933). " This, however, is conjecture : Relict graded bedding (Fig. 4c), association with metavolcanic rocks containing pillow structures (Fig. 4b), lack of coarse sediments, and geochemical data (Babcock, 1990) indicate that the metasedimentary units accumulated in an oceanic island-arc environment, as suggested for the Yavapai Supergroup rocks of central Arizona (Anderson and Silver, 1976; Bowring and Karlstrom, 1990). Back to scientific fact : "The contact between the Vishnu Schist and the Brahma Schist is generally concordant, and the rocks are interlayered as in Clear Creek,1 km from the Colorado River. A reference section for the Vishnu Schist is in Vishnu Canyon. Other easily accessible exposures of Vishnu Schist metasedimentary rocks occur (1), for highest-grade Vishnu rocks, along the river between mile 78 and Hance Canyon; (2), for lowest-grade Vishnu rocks, between Vishnu Canyon and Clear Creek, near 91-Mile Canyon, from Monument Canyon to 96-Mile Canyon, and from 96-Mile Canyon to Crystal Creek; and (3), in isolated septa, from Crystal Creek to mile 102.6 and from Lower Bass Camp to Waltenberg Canyon (Fig. 1). In the latter area, metasedimentary rocks with graded bedding clearly overlie metavolcanic rocks. As with the metavolcanic rocks, we expect that the Vishnu Schist may be further divisible in the future into different units and/or originally disparate tectonic packages juxtaposed across shear zones. However, present understanding of the stratigraphy and structure does not suggest obvious further subdivision.SOURCE (PDF document)The link above has a nice picture of the relict bedding on page 1153, which clearly indicates a sedimentary origin for the Vishnu." =============================================================I hope the above will help make it clear what I mean about interpretation as opposed to scientific fact, which I'm always referring to. There is a lot that geologists can know about the sheer physical presentation of the rocks, but when they go on with their interpretation of how it was formed in such and such an environment in such and such a time period they have stepped outside science into sheer speculation, yet they often don't make that distinction. In the above "technical" quote, the interpretation is at least referenced and not stated dogmatically, but in the "simple" quote above that, it IS stated dogmatically: "once the roots of an ancient mountain range that could have been as high as todays Rocky Mountains. The mountains were eroded away over a long period of time and new sediments were they deposited over them by advancing and retreating seas." This cannot be known, and yet it was presented with just as much certainty as the physical facts were. This is what one runs into all the time in discussions of both the geo timetable and the ToE, the treatment of what is nothing but fanciful notions about what happened in the ancient past as if they were fact. I understand that these interpretations are based on some facts, but often the particular facts they are based on don't even get described. ============================================{The following is in answer to roxrkool on the Grand Canyon thread, message #8 I am simply continuing my discussion of how interpretation tends to get interwoven with and confused with fact: All of the following is pure interpretation : quote: At least some of the physical facts involved are appealed to, but basically all the above is nothing but imaginative speculation presented as if it were fact. =================================================={The following is in answer to roxrkool on the Grand Canyon thread, message #11 The following statements are about physical facts (whether correct or not is another issue)
quote: All the above is free of interpretive fancy. Whether the facts are correct or not is for the scientists to determine, but it is all in the category of scientific fact. ======================================================={The following is in answer to roxrkool on the Grand Canyon thread, message #18 I've bolded the interpretive parts:
quote: Evidence is given, but still the interpretations have that aura of fact. No contrary interpretations are suggested. There is no way to verify or falsify such an interpretation. This is what I find so frustrating about both OE and TOE discussions. ====================================================={The following is in answer to roxrkool on the Grand Canyon thread, message #21 The general sequence of events as I understand them from reading around the internet: 1. Formation of island arc at subduction zone located off the coast of the U.S. (in Utah or Arizona at the time??) which is slowly migrating toward the continent; 2. Deposition of volcanic and marine sedimentary rock (protosediments) at the island arc; 3. Collision (accretion)of island arc onto North American continent, metamorphism, and possibly igneous intrusions soon after; 4. Some time later 'mountain building'/uplift (more metamorphism?) began in the vicinity of the arc accretion (possibly due to deep seated structural sutures developed during accretion); 5. Erosion of mountain range which cuts across both metaseds and igneous intrusions; 6. Deposition of Grand Canyon supergroup. ALL the above is interpretive but it is not treated as interpretive or as if there could be any other thoughts about it. In the process of describing this scenario, various physical facts (deposition of volcanid and marine sedimentary rocks; igneous intrusion) are alluded to, but they are not in themselves discussed, only the supposed way they contributed to the scenario is focused on.
Ilg et al. (1996) appear to suggest that metamorphism occurred while the island arc was still in the marine environment and possibly due to collision. Uplift of the island arc system to sea level exposed the surficial volcanic environment to marine (wave?) erosion and continued uplift eventually exposed the metamorphosed core. They don't mention any mountain-building episode. When the island arc system was eroded far enough, eventually marine sediments were able to be deposited atop the erosional surface. All the above is speculative but at least the reasoning is given.=================================================== This message has been edited by Faith, 03-15-2006 10:33 AM This message has been edited by Faith, 03-15-2006 10:36 AM
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Faith  Suspended Member (Idle past 1475 days) Posts: 35298 From: Nevada, USA Joined: |
I'll give you an example. Henry VIII was king of England. That isn't a fact, but an interpretation of the evidence, yet it is presented as a fact.
When most people say 'fact' they mean that there is enough corroborating evidence for it to be unreasonable to not accept it. It is always healthy to be tentative in conclusions, but it is unnecessary to continuously reaffirm the tentatitivity of knowledge. Well, Moddy, I will rapidly get bored with this thread if this is the way it's going to go. Henry the VIII WAS King of England. That IS a fact. And if we have to raise the question, even have whole threads at this late date in the EvC controversy, in order to establish how we can be sure that is a fact, then I say this whole debate enterprise is a pathetic joke (which of course I think anyway). In the collection of my posts in Message 4 I was very clear what I regard as sheer interpretation and for anyone to disagree with that strikes me as so bizarre I'd say there is no hope for communication whatever. There is NOT enough evidence for it to be unreasonable not to accept the OE interpretation (OR the common-descent-of-all-life-from-common-ancestor-back-in-the-Primordial-Ooze interpretation either). What I have identified as interpretation is clearly imaginative interpretation that has no way of being verified or falsified -- the whole tipsy scheme of long-lived "environments." But at least for the sake of discussion, although you may think all those interpretations are as sound as fact, the proper thing to do would be to acknowledge the distinction I am making, as it is certainly logical, and I think reasonable (it certainly doesn't exclude the likes of Henry the Eighth from being a fact) and politely spare us creationists the endless certainties that we know perfectly well aren't certainties. See, I think my pointing out the distinction was necessary, and that nobody here otherwise was going to recognize it. But hey, if everybody wants to stay in their blurry unverifiable unfalsifiable untestable ToE and OE delusion then carry on among yourselves. I'll just ignore you. Cheers.
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Faith  Suspended Member (Idle past 1475 days) Posts: 35298 From: Nevada, USA Joined: |
My objection is that the theory is not treated as theory but as set in concrete, that the facts that support it are often -- usually -- not even identified at all.
It's a HUGE leap to get from noticing some features in a rock that are similar to those in rocks you know to have been formed in a marine environment, to treating as fact the idea that it had to have been formed in a particular marine environment millions of years ago. It's a HUGE leap to get from noticing that a particular fossil has features reminiscent of both reptiles and birds, to treating as fact the idea that it descended from the one and is ancestor to the other. But as I just said to Modulous, there's no discussion possible as long as you insist on it. OK by me though, as that's always really been the case here. This message has been edited by Faith, 03-15-2006 03:52 PM
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Faith  Suspended Member (Idle past 1475 days) Posts: 35298 From: Nevada, USA Joined: |
What expertise do you bring to the table to make you the arbiter of what are "imaginative speculations" and what are fact-based conclusions? A good clear logical mind that knows when I'm being fed a bunch of BS.
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Faith  Suspended Member (Idle past 1475 days) Posts: 35298 From: Nevada, USA Joined: |
Solid presentation and discussion of the evidence backing up a particular conjecture is of course a good way to answer me. All this other BS denying that my distinction is apt is useless.
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Faith  Suspended Member (Idle past 1475 days) Posts: 35298 From: Nevada, USA Joined: |
Just stop complaining about the distinctions I made, which are perfectly clear and reasonable, and realize that the conjectures can't be presented as flat fact but need LOTS of evidentiary support if there is any real intention of discussing the central issues in the EvC debate.
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Faith  Suspended Member (Idle past 1475 days) Posts: 35298 From: Nevada, USA Joined: |
Well, if you can only discuss this with geologists then get the geologists over here to discuss it. I'm not one.
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Faith  Suspended Member (Idle past 1475 days) Posts: 35298 From: Nevada, USA Joined: |
Hey you can have all the confidence you want, but it would only be right to understand that what you are having confidence IN is the very meat of the debate here, and simply stating it as fact makes it impossible to raise questions about any of it.
I take back the idea that all the evidence has to be presented. No, it's just that these kinds of conjectural statements and treating them as fact needs to be avoided. This message has been edited by Faith, 03-15-2006 03:48 PM
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Faith  Suspended Member (Idle past 1475 days) Posts: 35298 From: Nevada, USA Joined: |
The theoretical origin of rocks is perfectly and 100% falsifiable. Fine, let's say that is so. Only a geologist would have the information necessary to SHOW that it is so. Meanwhile, if the theoretical origin of the rocks is presented in the casual way I illustrated, as if it were undeniable fact that there was such and such a "depositional landscape" at such and such a multiple millions of years remove, then discussion is simply impossible with creaionists, who of course dispute that very interpretation. This message has been edited by Faith, 03-15-2006 03:48 PM
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Faith  Suspended Member (Idle past 1475 days) Posts: 35298 From: Nevada, USA Joined: |
Nonsense.
I see no point in trying to discuss anything if this is where you take it.
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Faith  Suspended Member (Idle past 1475 days) Posts: 35298 From: Nevada, USA Joined: |
You are arguing with a ridiculous straw man. You haven't understood one word of what I was saying.
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Faith  Suspended Member (Idle past 1475 days) Posts: 35298 From: Nevada, USA Joined: |
As long as they are sticking to the physical facts on that thread, it's interesting to read. I simply recognized an opportunity to demonstrate the difference between that purely scientific kind of discussion and the interpretive scenarios that show up here and there.
I have no problem with superposition and cross cutting. This message has been edited by Faith, 03-15-2006 04:00 PM
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Faith  Suspended Member (Idle past 1475 days) Posts: 35298 From: Nevada, USA Joined: |
No, it is not conjectural. Please reread Message 4. I really do believe that what I identify as conjectural is clearly conjectural and what I identify as empirical science is empirical science. I don't see that there should be much confusion after all that.
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Faith  Suspended Member (Idle past 1475 days) Posts: 35298 From: Nevada, USA Joined: |
I think it is perfectly fair to point out that they are treating conjecture as fact without offering support no matter where it is found.
And as a matter of fact, it appears that scientists talking among themselves are more likely to raise such questions, than when they are presenting this stuff to the hapless layman, who is simply expected to swallow the whole imaginative scenario as Established Fact. Happens all the time, particularly with the fanciful illustrations of supposed life in the distant past, usually of dinosaurs but also of supposed pre-humans. THAT's what the layman has to swallow.
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