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Chuck77
Inactive Member


Message 1306 of 1725 (624474)
07-18-2011 5:16 AM
Reply to: Message 1304 by AZPaul3
07-18-2011 5:06 AM


Re: not making a claim of disproof
The "pre-cambrian" analog to bluegenes theory is the realm of supernatural entities.
Exactly.
The falsification of bluegenes theory would be the empirical evidence of some god. For all our looking, no one has yet found one.
Exactly, incorrect. If the precambrian can be tested, identified, given an age etc it is an established part of the TOE, it is in fact, empirical. Likewise a REAL rabbit (that gives birth to baby rabbits) would potentially falsify it.
In contrast, bluegenes has yet to establish that the supernatual can be tested like the precambrain. Until he does, it is silly to suggest an empirical Supernatural entity falsifiy his "theory' (claim), as it stands now.
This of course can change, if bluegenes gets to work and will stop asking everyone else to do it for Him.
Edited by Chuck77, : No reason given.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1304 by AZPaul3, posted 07-18-2011 5:06 AM AZPaul3 has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 1307 by AZPaul3, posted 07-18-2011 5:27 AM Chuck77 has not replied
 Message 1310 by AZPaul3, posted 07-18-2011 5:43 AM Chuck77 has replied

AZPaul3
Member
Posts: 8564
From: Phoenix
Joined: 11-06-2006
Member Rating: 5.1


Message 1307 of 1725 (624475)
07-18-2011 5:27 AM
Reply to: Message 1306 by Chuck77
07-18-2011 5:16 AM


Re: not making a claim of disproof
Sorry, Chuck77. I made a significant change to my post prior to your reply.
I really need to learn to proof read prior to hitting the "submit".

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1306 by Chuck77, posted 07-18-2011 5:16 AM Chuck77 has not replied

xongsmith
Member
Posts: 2587
From: massachusetts US
Joined: 01-01-2009
Member Rating: 7.0


Message 1308 of 1725 (624476)
07-18-2011 5:27 AM
Reply to: Message 1268 by Straggler
07-17-2011 4:47 PM


Re: science and non-natural phenomena
Straggler writes:
Are you seriously disputing the fact that humans can and do invent supernatural beings?
I still have a couple more beers left at this hour and somehow found your message only just now.
In short NO. Not at all - what ever led you to think so?
And can you answer RAZ's Confusion Continues (Message 1262)?
...which expands to:
From RAZ's latest Great Debate entry:
RAZD writes:
bluegenes writes:
How many times do I have to explain to you why the above is wrong? Scientific theories do not have to have to address unsupported claims that contradict them in the way you describe. No evolutionary biologist has to have a methodology/system/procedure for distinguishing an omphalist world from a non-omphalist world merely because the unsupported omphalist claim is made.
This is you being a pseudoskeptic again. You need to have a methodology to test whether there is actual supernatural phenomena or not, and just assuming you are correct is NOT how science is done.
The reason that this test applies to you rather than the biologist is that YOU have claimed to explain supernatural phenomena - they haven't.
What supernatural phenomena has bluegenes claimed to be able to explain?
If RAZ (or any of his supporters) could answer this specifically it would be much appreciated
I believe RAZD misspoke - he probably meant "potential supernatural phenomena". Consider "whether there is actual supernatural phenomena or not"....the "or not" is where the potential qualifier comes in.
bluegenes says "All supernatural beings are figments of human imagination", right? Doesn't this mean that "All scientific investigations of potential supernatural phenomena, when examined thoroughly enough to make a conclusion as to their origin, have come to the conclusion that they are figments of human imagination and are sourced from such imagination"?
I think RAZD is still asking for an example of such an investigation that has made this determination.
Now I have forgotten much of the details in the Great Debate thread, but the debate got off on some bad tangentials. Give me a moment and I shall reread bluegenes side again.....
.....tic toc....
I see bluegenes bringing up stories and myths, noting how they contradict each other...but fictional literature is not evidence.
...tic toc...
I see bluegenes in Message 19 trying to argue that known myths which are being used as allegories . . . supports his theory. Just as I would never use Superman's and Spiderman's different fictional worlds contradicting each other as evidence FOR bluegenes theory, I would hope he has a similar inclination.
...tic toc....beers running out....
I see bluegenes saying "You quoted me above claiming that the human imagination is the only known source of supernatural beings. If it's a view that you disagree with, then you should be able to demonstrate that there's another known source."
I am not in disagreement, only objecting to how it is stated and proposed as a theory. So, since I already don't think there's any other source, I am certainly not going to demonstrate that there's another known source.
...tic toc.....
I see that it comes to psychology, one of the most inexact sciences known to humans. Modulous also favors this angle, using his favorite word, "proclivity".
...tic toc...
I see bluegenes making this statement: "So far, having examined more than 20, I'm in the 95% to 100% confidence bracket that's considered standard to pass the null hypothesis. On point (4), we happen to have people from all three fields here on EvC. So, when I've got the time, I can easily start a thread and ask for comments from other members." but all his 20 are fictional stories and inadmissible as evidence.
...tic toc....
I got to where bluegenes mentions the YEC God that 100 million americans believe in being destroyed by evidence from RAZD himself...very nice.
...tic toc....
"If someone explained the existence of the Empire State building by saying that it sprouted from a magical rock buried in the earth and grew, then they would have hit the level of accuracy of the creation myths."
But you could link to photographs of its construction and link to films showing its construction rather than argue the magical rock was impossible.
...tic toc...
The Turtle easily by the NASA photo....
bluegenes does show examples of evidence, but then fails to do the easy and obvious step of fleshing out how the procedure of examining this evidence would proceed. I say easy & obvious, because it should be a trivial thing. Perhaps he was unaware of how bottom-level the detailed explanation had to be.

- xongsmith, 5.7d

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1268 by Straggler, posted 07-17-2011 4:47 PM Straggler has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 1315 by Straggler, posted 07-18-2011 8:19 AM xongsmith has not replied

Dr Jack
Member
Posts: 3514
From: Immigrant in the land of Deutsch
Joined: 07-14-2003
Member Rating: 9.2


Message 1309 of 1725 (624479)
07-18-2011 5:40 AM
Reply to: Message 1303 by Chuck77
07-18-2011 4:46 AM


Re: Style points
I wonder if you feel the same about Minnemooseus and His banner that says " For the "Great Debate" forum, Minnemooseus and Buzsaw only" in his debate with Buz on every one of His posts?
Yes. Although Minnemooseus is at least a mod and so has the authority to push thread rules.
I wonder if you thought that on messages 11, 12 and 13? when bluegenes did it to RAZD in the very beggining of the debate?
I didn't recall it, actually. Looking at it, message 12 is a bit pointless, but message 13 introduces a new thread. All of RAZD's posts 157-160 are basically nagging.
Mr Jack, do you think bluegenes has a theory?
Yes.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1303 by Chuck77, posted 07-18-2011 4:46 AM Chuck77 has not replied

AZPaul3
Member
Posts: 8564
From: Phoenix
Joined: 11-06-2006
Member Rating: 5.1


Message 1310 of 1725 (624481)
07-18-2011 5:43 AM
Reply to: Message 1306 by Chuck77
07-18-2011 5:16 AM


Re: not making a claim of disproof
Exactly, incorrect. If the precambrian can be tested, identified, given an age etc it is an established part of the TOE, it is in fact, empirical. Likewise a REAL rabbit (that gives birth to baby rabbits) would potentially falsify it.
The TOE says nothing about geologic strata nor the age of these things. Other scientific disciplines provide that information. So the route to falsification is open via the information from these other areas.
In bluegenes theory nothing is said about the efficacy of supernatural realms or other possible vectors of supernatural thoughts. Other philosophies do that. So the route to falsification is open via the information from these other areas.
Until he does, it is silly to suggest an empirical Supernatural entity falsifiy his "theory' (claim), as it stands now.
Why? If a supernatural concept were to be shown to stem from any other source than human imagination then bluegenes theory would be falsified. Where is the problem with this?
Unlike what RAZD would want, it is not incumbent upon the theory to provide its own falsification, just that it be open to falsification by some means. Bluegenes theory is open to falsification.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1306 by Chuck77, posted 07-18-2011 5:16 AM Chuck77 has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 1311 by Chuck77, posted 07-18-2011 6:13 AM AZPaul3 has replied

Chuck77
Inactive Member


Message 1311 of 1725 (624483)
07-18-2011 6:13 AM
Reply to: Message 1310 by AZPaul3
07-18-2011 5:43 AM


Re: not making a claim of disproof
AZPaul writes:
The TOE says nothing about geologic strata nor the age of these things. Other scientific disciplines provide that information. So the route to falsification is open via the information from these other areas.
Yeah, I mispoke but you get my point, I hope?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Fossil rabbits in the precambrian)
At one time, "Precambrian rabbits" or "fossil rabbits in the Precambrian" rock samples became popular imagery in debates about the validity of the theory of evolution and the scientific field of evolutionary biology. The images are reported to have been among responses given by the biologist, J.B.S. Haldane, when he was asked what evidence could destroy his confidence in the theory and the field of study. Many of his statements about his scientific research were popularized in his lifetime.
Precambrian rabbit - Wikipedia
Why? If a supernatural concept were to be shown to stem from any other source than human imagination then bluegenes theory would be falsified. Where is the problem with this
LOL. Circular reasoning rings a bell. The Bible is true because the Bible says so. The flood of the Bible happened because Jesus from the Bible said it happened.
Well, im assuming you are convinced now that both the Bible and the flood are historical facts. Good.
Back to bluegenes reality. There are 9000 different sources out there for supernatural beings. They are just as valid as any. You say prove it right? I don't have to, im perfectly content believing what I do.
On the other hand, bluegenes is claiming every single person to have ever experienced a religious experience is simply their imagination. He said he can prove this with evidence. The people have provided their evidence with why they believe this. Bluegenes has NOT provided HIS as to why he thinks it's not true. See?
So to say he has a theory that claims " the human imagination is the only known sourse of supernatural beings" is obviously an opinion and not a theory, and the only way to back it up is with evidence contrary to the millions of people who believe otherwise. It's simple, show the test you used to produce this result and share it with us.
To ask that we provide bluegenes with an empirical supernatural entity to dispove his statement is giving his statement way to much credit. It's just a statement backed by no evidence. Therefore it's no theory.
It's tautology. " A rhetorical tautology can also be defined as a series of statements that comprise an argument, whereby the statements are constructed in such a way that the truth of the proposition is guaranteed or that the truth of the proposition cannot be disputed by defining a term in terms of another self-referentially. Consequently, the statement conveys no useful information regardless of its length or complexity making it unfalsifiable"
Wiki: Tautology - Wikipedia(rhetoric)
Edited by Chuck77, : No reason given.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1310 by AZPaul3, posted 07-18-2011 5:43 AM AZPaul3 has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 1313 by AZPaul3, posted 07-18-2011 6:50 AM Chuck77 has not replied

Modulous
Member
Posts: 7801
From: Manchester, UK
Joined: 05-01-2005


Message 1312 of 1725 (624487)
07-18-2011 6:37 AM
Reply to: Message 1293 by Chuck77
07-18-2011 1:01 AM


Re: not making a claim of disproof
Whoa. Again with the TOE. Do you guys have a bet going on that we are unaware of? Everytime someone argues against a non-theory that is proposed as a real theory money is added to the pot?
I'm just showing how the philosophical objections being raised against the BG theory are as applicable as the philosophical objections to a theory that I know RAZD accepts. It's a fairly standard method of rhetoric, I'm surprised it surprises you.
So Mod, why do you think this "theory" of bluegenes has any merit as a theory?
Yes.
What is the "precambrian" in bluegenes argument that is testable for everyone to use as evidence that imagination is only known sourse for SB's?
The rabbit in the precambrian for BG's theory is a real supernatural being being detected outside of a human mind.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1293 by Chuck77, posted 07-18-2011 1:01 AM Chuck77 has not replied

AZPaul3
Member
Posts: 8564
From: Phoenix
Joined: 11-06-2006
Member Rating: 5.1


Message 1313 of 1725 (624488)
07-18-2011 6:50 AM
Reply to: Message 1311 by Chuck77
07-18-2011 6:13 AM


Re: not making a claim of disproof
Circular reasoning rings a bell.
Bluegenes: Imagination is the only vector.
Falsification: Here is a different vector.
Where is the circularity?
On the other hand, bluegenes is claiming every single person to have ever experienced a religious experience is simply their imagination. He said he can prove this with evidence. The people have provided their evidence with why they believe this. Bluegenes has NOT provided HIS as to why he thinks it's not true. See?
Bluegenes evidence is not one piece not one test. It is, as with all theories, a preponderance of evidence, this one from history, psychology and neurology. Re-read the thread. The evidence is there.
There are 9000 different sources out there for supernatural beings. They are just as valid as any. You say prove it right? I don't have to, im perfectly content believing what I do.
Incredulity is not evidence.
If there are 9000 sources out there then certainly you can point to one empirical source, no?
Look, Chuck77, bluegenes theory, whatever you may think of it, has been stated, backed by evidence and is falsifiable. It is not tautological since its statement "the only known source of supernatural concepts is human imagination" is not self-referential nor is its truth closed to falsification.
It is now incumbent upon its detractors to dispute the theory by negating its evidence or by falsification. No one has yet done this. And personal incredulity or appeals to 9000 unevidenced claims will not accomplish this.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1311 by Chuck77, posted 07-18-2011 6:13 AM Chuck77 has not replied

Straggler
Member (Idle past 95 days)
Posts: 10333
From: London England
Joined: 09-30-2006


Message 1314 of 1725 (624491)
07-18-2011 8:09 AM
Reply to: Message 1301 by Chuck77
07-18-2011 4:08 AM


Re: Can't expect Scientific results
Chuck can you tell us all exactly why you think it is "impossible" to present a real supernatural being as falsification?
Chuck writes:
Straggs, it would really aid in communication if you would please do the following..
You didn't see Message 1254? I will repeat it for you.
Chuck writes:
Identify a question
Observation: Humans conceive of, and believe in the existence of, supernatural beings.
Question: What is the source of origin of these concepts?
Chuck writes:
then propose an explanation (hypothesis),
These concepts are sourced from human imagination for psychological reasons rather than sourced from the real existence of supernatural beings.
Chuck writes:
conceive a test of the hypothesis
1) Investigate the origins of various supernatural concepts. The theory predicts that in every case where the source of origin of a particular supernatural concept can be determined it will be human imagination.
2) Investigate the psychological reasons that humans invent supernatural beings. Research into things like the human proclivity to assign conscious intent to mindless physical processes is ongoing but agency, need for compaionship etc. are all subjects of current psychological research.
Chuck writes:
evaluate the efficacy of the proposed experiment
Feel free to.
Chuck writes:
perform the experiment
1) Done
2) Ongoing but extensive results so far support bluegenes theory.
Chuck writes:
analyze the data
Data analysed and found to support the theory.
Chuck writes:
and see if it conforms to the hypothesis
It does.
Chuck writes:
To answer your question, i'll say it's not about RAZD producing a supernatural being, it's about bluegenes supporting His claim that there aren't any. Why do you disagree with this?
Because that isn't, and never has been bluegenes, claim. As I first told you way back in Message 1140

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1301 by Chuck77, posted 07-18-2011 4:08 AM Chuck77 has not replied

Straggler
Member (Idle past 95 days)
Posts: 10333
From: London England
Joined: 09-30-2006


Message 1315 of 1725 (624492)
07-18-2011 8:19 AM
Reply to: Message 1308 by xongsmith
07-18-2011 5:27 AM


Re: science and non-natural phenomena
X writes:
I believe RAZD misspoke - he probably meant "potential supernatural phenomena".
Aside from human conviction what makes this phenomenon any more "potentially supernatural" than any other?
Straggler writes:
Can you prove that the second law isn't obeyed because some supernatural entity invisibly wills it so?
X writes:
No - why would you ask?
Aside from lack of human belief what makes this phenomenon any less "potentially supernatural" than any other?
X writes:
i posted february 2010.
bluegenes didn't state his theory until August 2010.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1308 by xongsmith, posted 07-18-2011 5:27 AM xongsmith has not replied

Straggler
Member (Idle past 95 days)
Posts: 10333
From: London England
Joined: 09-30-2006


Message 1316 of 1725 (624519)
07-18-2011 1:53 PM
Reply to: Message 1291 by xongsmith
07-17-2011 7:15 PM


Re: There's a reason for their denial...
Panda writes:
And my statement was that you are UNABLE to falsify the theory, even if you wanted to.
X writes:
You havent been paying attention!
What do you think this whole analemma thing of mine has been about?? It basically says that you cannot ever falsify bluegenes theory - and now, like many before you, you are asking me to falsify his theory?
One little fairy......
Or the demonstrable existence of a leprechaun or a vampire or a werewolf or a pixie or a djinn or a genie or any other supernatural concept including any of these....
Solar deities
Wind gods
Fertility deities
Lunar deities
Thunder gods
Creator gods
Fire gods
...would falsify the theory.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1291 by xongsmith, posted 07-17-2011 7:15 PM xongsmith has not replied

xongsmith
Member
Posts: 2587
From: massachusetts US
Joined: 01-01-2009
Member Rating: 7.0


Message 1317 of 1725 (624525)
07-18-2011 2:16 PM
Reply to: Message 1297 by Straggler
07-18-2011 3:21 AM


Re: Xongsmith's analemma to scientific theory
Straggler writes:
Added by edit - bluegenes didn't state his theory until August 2010. Apparently Xongsmith possesses precognitive abilities.
I goofed!! LOL - too many late wee hour mornings of steady beers....
Message 357 of 1316 (see Message 357)
08-19-2010 2:47 PM
Don't know how I saw February. Cross-eyed pirate effect.

- xongsmith, 5.7d

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1297 by Straggler, posted 07-18-2011 3:21 AM Straggler has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 1318 by bluegenes, posted 07-19-2011 4:28 AM xongsmith has not replied

bluegenes
Member (Idle past 2507 days)
Posts: 3119
From: U.K.
Joined: 01-24-2007


(1)
Message 1318 of 1725 (624616)
07-19-2011 4:28 AM
Reply to: Message 1317 by xongsmith
07-18-2011 2:16 PM


Re: Xongsmith's analemma to scientific theory
Who is this anal Emma, anyway? Can you introduce me to her?

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1317 by xongsmith, posted 07-18-2011 2:16 PM xongsmith has not replied

Straggler
Member (Idle past 95 days)
Posts: 10333
From: London England
Joined: 09-30-2006


Message 1319 of 1725 (624631)
07-19-2011 6:00 AM
Reply to: Message 1271 by RAZD
07-17-2011 5:23 PM


Re: pseudoskeptics and logic
RAZD writes:
I can also show you the logical analysis if you like. I'm a 3, btw.
It is worth pointing out that RAZ's little exercise in logic leads to anyone declaring themselves as anything but a 3, 4 or 5 with regard to anything that cannot be disproven being a pseudoskeptic.
This includes the universe being created omphalistically Last Thursday and every conceivable but unfalsifiable entity you can come up with.
Of course this means that there can in fact never be any valid scientific conclusions at all. How old is the Earth? Well the evidence suggests in the region of 4.5 billion years.....Aha but you haven't falsified Last Thursdayism have you?
Did evolution actually occur? Well we cannot falsify the notion that Satan has been secretly planting evidence to lead us down this ungodly path.
And so on and so forth. Because for every evidenced conclusion there is a baseless and unfalsifiable supernatural alternative that RAZ says we cannot legitimately dismiss or ignore as philosophically possible but very improbable.
It's frikkin madness.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1271 by RAZD, posted 07-17-2011 5:23 PM RAZD has seen this message but not replied

Straggler
Member (Idle past 95 days)
Posts: 10333
From: London England
Joined: 09-30-2006


Message 1320 of 1725 (624634)
07-19-2011 6:09 AM
Reply to: Message 1292 by Modulous
07-17-2011 7:24 PM


Re: not making a claim of disproof
Mod to RAZD writes:
A theory which predicts there are no supernaturals. No disproof claimed. The claim is that the only known source is the imagination. If that claim is true, it does not therefore mean there are no supernaturals. So no, there is no claim that would disprove supernaturals being made. If you think that claim is being made, it explains your position, maybe you've merely misunderstood us. That's possible, right? We might have failed to communicate the notion correctly to you or something.
Do you think they will ever understand this?
This obsession with disproof and the unshakeable premise that anything remotely related to unfalsifiable supernatural beliefs is therefore immune from any form of empirical investigation seems so ingrained as to be almost insurmountable.
That the theory in question seeks to naturalistically explain an observable phenomeon just like any scientific theory is proving impossible to get across to these people.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1292 by Modulous, posted 07-17-2011 7:24 PM Modulous has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 1321 by Modulous, posted 07-19-2011 8:43 AM Straggler has not replied

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