RE: [asa] Consensus science

Quote was:
" So I think it is a high compliment to say that ASA members on this list uncritically accept consensus science in areas where they are not expert rather than rejecting it."

I think for most people that is true, unless that majority scientific opinion conflicts with their creed... then they protect the creed and say the resolution is a mystery for now. And it doesn't matter if YEC or TE. The only people who can place established science over creed are those who place truth over devotion.

And that was a gold nugget from Randy: When faced with a controversial highly complex subject too complex to understand, it is better to go with the consensus of experts in the field. I agree that it could be wrong sometimes, but the vast majority of cases would likely be right.

...Bernie

-----Original Message-----
From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu] On Behalf Of Murray Hogg
Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 4:05 PM
To: ASA
Subject: Re: [asa] Consensus science

Randy Isaac wrote:
 So I
> think it is a high compliment to say that ASA members on this list
> uncritically accept consensus science in areas where they are not expert
> rather than rejecting it.

Amen!

If the scientific community doesn't place trust in the educated judgements of its best informed practitioners, then the entire exercise becomes pointless.

Trying to assess inductive assessments of broad swathes of data by applying the tools of deductive analysis to single data points is like trying to use a hammer to tighten a bolt: wrong tool, bad result.

Blessings,
Murray

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Received on Fri Aug 28 21:59:48 2009