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October 19, 2005
Heresy and Skeptics
Heresy and Skeptics
In response to Deepak Chopra's skeptics
Skeptics could be called Klingons because the cling to old belief systems.
Finite minds trying to maintain preserve outgrown boundaries. Perhaps they keep us from being able to walk though walls. Perhaps they keep us from being able to walk though walls, which is okay by me, I rather like the idea of walls, as long as they are designed to keep wandering souls from disturbing one's solitude not to trap us within them.
Pure heresy they may call it, especially if it is a threat.
What is Heresy?
A proposition that is, at the same time, a challenge to present understanding, current beliefs and a challenge to power.
"If we keep others believing the world is flat, the fear that they will fall off will keep them from discovering new lands and our sources for spices. We will be able to discover the new lands first and remain dominant in the spice industry. "
Do so called "authoritative" resources like to admit they are wrong? What does it do to their authority?
Is what they taught you about the world around you while you were in school correct? Is it unbiased ?
Activities of science are supported by, and to some extent controlled by, organizations such as scientific societies, agencies of the federal government and (to a lesser but non-negligible extent) by the structuring of universities and corporations into schools, divisions, departments, laboratories, etc. These organizations in turn need respect from their competitors, approval from their colleagues, support from the public and favorable press from the media and economic support. Any scientist who jeopardizes the good standing of these important scientific organizations may, knowingly or unknowingly, weaken organized science and thereby hurt his fellow scientists. In this way, the issue of true science is converted from one that is purely intellectual to one that has sociological, political and economic consequences. Such issues perceived as heretical may be so because they involve a combination of political and economic ramifications.
If a researcher finds a cure he must find another job which may be difficult and the institution gets no more funding (not in it's best interest).
Why is it that there is so much disagreement between scientists?
Motive, desire for a particular reality or fear of a new one?
Posted by Richard at October 19, 2005 09:06 PM
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