For what I see as a rather balanced view of 'gaps', I strongly suggest this short article by Alan Wallace, "Materialism of the Gaps."
http://www.sbinstitute.com/PDF%20AW.org/sctheo.pdf It is in pdf format. If you have to use html use this link. http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:Ye8StlnCWlsJ:www.sbinstitute.com/PDF%2520AW.org/sctheo.pdf+alan+wallace+and+a+science+of+the+gaps&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=us On Sep 16, 12:56 pm, Isparklaria <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > On Sep 16, 12:19 pm, "Jason (Memphis)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > wrote > > > That reference on p. 28 is calling out the pseudo-science in New Age > > religions. > > I agree that it is common for proponnents of New Age ideas, practices, > religions and so forth to use gaps in scientific understanding as > "proof" of their opinions. In this they resemble many other > dogmatists. However the second part of that statment does not negate > the first half, which reads, "These conundrums, which ought indeed to > make us reexamine any scientific dogmas we may embrace.” Jason, do you > suppose that Price is saying science has dogmas or do you think that I > have interpreted correctly by saying that he really means scientistic > dogmas? > > On Sep 16, 12:19 pm, "Jason (Memphis)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > wrote: > > > > > Most of the books that I read are science and philosophy--only a few > > are mostly skeptical. > > > Price is more in line with the way I look at these alternative > > religions. > > > That reference on p. 28 is calling out the pseudo-science in New Age > > religions. > > > I wasn't calling you out either but I did remember our debates about > > Martin Gardner, Carl Sagan, CSICOPs and so forth and thought that > > Price might be in that category. > > > Jason > > > On Sep 16, 11:07 am, Isparklaria <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > On Sep 15, 8:27 am, "Jason (Memphis)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > wrote: > > > > >I thought that Michael would be turned > > > > off by book because it goes after "New Thought" and "New Age" > > > > religions. > > > > Jason, > > > > I thought that you might not like the book because it is more > > > philosophically oriented, rather than just being skeptical. In > > > addition to just challenging idealistic monistic metaphysics, new age > > > interpretations of quantum mechanics and other physics, new age > > > extrapolations from quantum mechanics and other poor examples of > > > reasoning by new age/new thought adherents, the author also challenges > > > scientistic dogmas (he calls them scientific dogmas). He says, in the > > > middle of the first paragraph of on page twenty eight, in reference to > > > the mysteries of quantum mechanics,” These conundrums, which ought > > > indeed to make us reexamine any scientific dogmas we may embrace.” > > > > On the other hand, I have noticed that as I have become more realistic > > > about new age nonsense, you also have seemed to recognize the limits > > > of scientism and pseudo skepticism. For that reason you may like a > > > book that rightly points out there is often some good in new age > > > religions. The author even likes the Bible, though he is an atheist. I > > > can understand his feeling since I like the Bible and don’t believe in > > > its crazy bully of a god either. Actually I do believe that I AM > > > exists, but I AM is not God, a god, a goddess an angel or anything > > > else like that. What I Am is, in my opinion, is so obvious that we > > > most people miss it. The secret is hidden in plain sight, where no one > > > dares to look > > > > On Sep 15, 8:27 am, "Jason (Memphis)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > wrote: > > > > > the book that we are reading for book club (Top Secret by Robert > > > > Price) > > > > > The first chapter was good. I thought that Michael would be turned > > > > off by book because it goes after "New Thought" and "New Age" > > > > religions. In some of these alternative religions, your mental powers > > > > or mind influences the environment around you by vibrating your > > > > surrounding with sort mind beam that helps you control your > > > > surrounding (or some other mind control of your surroundings). Most > > > > people would just think that positive thinking and persistance helps > > > > you "do" or "say" the right things to get what you want--not project > > > > some sort of mystical mental energy on your surroundings to control > > > > it. > > > > > Regardless, the book "The Secret" (not Top Secret) and New Thought/New > > > > Age religions are very popular in some circles and parts of the > > > > country. > > > > > Jason- Hide quoted text - > > > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - > > - Show quoted text - --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Memphis Freethought Alliance" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/memphisfreethoughtalliance?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
