From: Samantha Atkins (samantha@objectent.com)
Date: Sat Aug 11 2001 - 13:58:56 MDT
>
> I believe, based on the empirical track record of science, that scientists
> will find out what, if any, mechanism control human behaviour, down to how
> to treat various societal ills, like racism and nationalism.
>
It looks like your belief is based on the empirical track record
of science in errors other than the "softer" areas of human
motivations, values, social systems and so on. There is a
hidden assumption that these soft areas are equally capable of
being understood fully with only the scientific method. There
is considerable doubt of this at the moment. And indeed, there
is no particular reason it should turn out to be so.
I believe a lot will be done in the area with science but I do
not believe that we will find full answers in these areas that
way, at least not with the science of today. So I have traded
you one belief for another.
- samantha
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