I have several thoughts on this. First of all it is from a book defending
atheism, and therefore should be checked against what Epicurius actually
wrote. Secondly what did the Epicurians actually contribute to science?
Democritius is often called an Epicurian, but he preceeded Epicurius.
Thirdly, an an atheist is trying to use an atheistic statement as a basis
for science.
Jon
John W Burgeson wrote:
> Al:
>
> Back home for a few hours. Looked on my hard file for the "Consider all
> the evidence" quote. I found only the following:
>
> Methodological Atheism -- rule #1 of science
> -- better name is "methodological naturalism."
> -- dates back to the Epicureans, about 200 B.C.
> -- "Ascribe nothing to the gods"
> -- Necessary to avoid the "god-of-the-gaps" trap
> -- Rule #2 -- "Consider ALL the evidence." (also Epicureans)
>
> The place I found it suggests to me that the citation is from "Atheism,"
> by Otto Strunk, although that part is from memory, not my notes, which
> are decades old and made when I obviously did not recognize that
> citations were of sufficient importance to document. My excuse is that
> the notes were made for myself only at that time and I did not recognize
> them as particularly important. Which is not much of an excuse.
>
> Sorry I cannot do better.
>
> John Burgeson (Burgy)
>
> http://www.burgy.50megs.com
> (science/theology, quantum mechanics, baseball, ethics,
> humor, cars, philosophy and much more)
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