John Kilopascal in USMA 24030 exhibits a very unscientific view of science. He wrote:

Would I be broadening it or narrowing it?  If I take some courses and am
force-fed the established beliefs, and am forced to accept them without
question as absolute truth, then I am not broadening my mind but narrowing
it.

When you are a supposed "authority" on a subject, having put tens of
thousands of dollars into your education plus many years of your time, you
are not going to be open minded to opposing opinions.  You are in fact going
to do the most you can to perpetuate your beliefs.  You can not accept ever
having been wrong.


Science advances by accepting nothing as absolute truth. Copernicus, generally considered to be the first scientist, was afraid to publish his solarcentric theory. Galileo upset Aristotle by dropping weights from the leaning tower. The phlogiston theory was overthrown when it was found that burnt magnesium ash weighed more than magnesium. The failure of the Michelsen-Morley experiment led to the theory of relativity. Darwin upset the idea that species were created. The "laws" of science only survive until they are disproved.
--
Joseph B. Reid
17 Glebe Road West
Toronto M5P 1C8 Telephone 416-486-6071

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