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Author Topic:   One's Own Theory
hooah212002
Member (Idle past 801 days)
Posts: 3193
Joined: 08-12-2009


Message 3 of 46 (540929)
12-30-2009 6:38 AM


I think I can try and answer some of these, albeit maybe not as wordy as some of the other posters around here:
Does belief always come before understanding? Should it?
It does, but it shouldn't.
How large is the role of confirmation bias in our learning process?
Tremendous. I think people see a person of prestige who thinks the same as they do, so it seems to lend some sort of creedence to their POV. On the other hand, if they see material that disagrees with their POV, some will tend to see it as a personal attack.
Are we doing the same thing to Intelligent Design that they obviously are to the Theory of Evolution?
I really can't see how. It is well documented that ID is nothing more than a certain religious camp's attempt to shove their view into mainstream thought. Evolution doesn't wirk that way. Science is still going to be science if no one "believes" it. An atom will always be an atom.
Are any of us really beating up anything other than strawmen?
No, I don't think so. For me, my primary goal around here (and in regards to creationism/relgion in general) is to point out to creationists/religious zealots that it's ok to have beliefs, just know that you need to keep them to yourself and be more leniant in regards to others. Didn't jesus say something similar?
What does this mean for science education? Surely our professors (are ourselves, for those who are professors) have their "own theories": won't this color their lectures?
Not too sure on this on. I never went to college and I couldn't have cared less in high school. However, any good teacher never lets personal bias into ANY lecture.

Who are we? We find that we live on an insignificant planet of a humdrum star lost in a galaxy tucked away in some forgotten corner of a universe in which there are far more galaxies than people
-Carl Sagan
For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
-Carl Sagan

Replies to this message:
 Message 5 by Blue Jay, posted 12-30-2009 9:00 PM hooah212002 has replied

  
hooah212002
Member (Idle past 801 days)
Posts: 3193
Joined: 08-12-2009


Message 13 of 46 (541114)
12-31-2009 3:31 PM
Reply to: Message 5 by Blue Jay
12-30-2009 9:00 PM


Do you think it always does? It always seems to in my case.
As far as whether it should or not, I'm torn. Without people passionately advocating certain theories, I'm not sure the scientific community would ever become motivated enough to run the tests.
You threw me off with the word "belief". I don't see valid theories as "beliefs". "Beliefs" shouldn't be taught in science class. That was my approach.
However, in a way, I think you are right. A proffessor should care about a subject so as to ensue they cover all aspects, not just a brief summation.
I've been in classes with a lot of teachers and professors, and I don't think I can say that any of them really taught without personal bias.
I was referring more to the extreme, where it would hinder the learning process. Everyone should have an even keel regarding rational thought. Even a staunch atheist shouldn't say how religion is so fucked up, or put it down in such a manner as to put off his students, because religion does SOME good for SOME people. That's the kind of personal bias I was talking about.
I've heard arguments from religious people that this can be a good thing (you know, if I don't teach my kid about Jesus while he's young, he won't grow up in the truth).
Isn't that how religion operates though? Look what happens to religious people when they open their mind: they turn into atheists.
And, I'm sorry to say, I have met many scientists who would probably likewise assert that teaching their viewpoint is the only sensible way to run a classroom.
You know damn well how hard it is to discuss things with people who only see things one way, so why not get kids thinking about all aspects early on?
As a current grad student, most of my training has so far focused on how to convince people that I'm right about something, and the part about how to actually be right about something has been pretty much left to me to figure out on my own.
I'm not a student, and I dropped out of high school (I regret it every day). My dealings with people here and abroad, in the workplace and in personal life have taught me that two heads are better than one. No one person will ever have the right answer to everything. Why spend all your time trying to prove you are right? You will learn more if you try to gain insight on other peoples thoughts and how other people think about things. Very few tasks are best completed solo, teamwork is essential.
There have been MANY times where I had an idea, only to spout it off here, thinking I was completely right and sure of it,... and see another posters POV and have it change my way of thinking.

Who are we? We find that we live on an insignificant planet of a humdrum star lost in a galaxy tucked away in some forgotten corner of a universe in which there are far more galaxies than people
-Carl Sagan
For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
-Carl Sagan

This message is a reply to:
 Message 5 by Blue Jay, posted 12-30-2009 9:00 PM Blue Jay has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 18 by Blue Jay, posted 01-09-2010 12:53 PM hooah212002 has seen this message but not replied

  
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