The Limited Ability of Science

I posted a video on you-tube a while back in response to some scientific debates. I called the video “Science isn’t God” and I pretty much stated how everyone wrongfully treats science as the end all be all of knowledge. I mentioned that science tests only that which is observable and leaves out a good deal of  information that would be obtainable through other methods. I did not lay out a definite argument for my claim and it was largely founded on my opinion. I knew about what I was trying to say but I could not formulate the idea enough to convey my meaning to my audience. I got a lot of flack for it and was ridiculed a bit; so I removed the video out of humility.

Today I ran across this quote:

As what we call natural science began to come into its own, the conception of science was gradually limited; a discipline had to meet more rigid criteria in order to be designated as a science. In particular, science now is restricted to the objects of sense experience, which must be verified by the “scientific method,” which employs observation and experimentation, following strict procedures of inductive logic…Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory of personality is unscientific, since no one can see or measure or test such entities as the id, the ego, and the superego. In an attempt to be regarded as scientific, disciplines dealing with humanity have tended to become behavioristic, basing their method, objects, and conclusions on what is observable, measurable, and testable, rather than on what can be known introspectively. All intellectual disciplines are expected to conform to this standard.”   -Millard J. Erickson, Systematic Theology

The weakness of my argument before was that I really had no example to prove my point. However, I understand more of what I was getting at by considering Sigmund Freud’s work with the ego. The information he was collecting was not observable or measurable because it was all introspective. To conclude that this is not important because it is not observable or measurable is absurd. Every human being lives their life introspectively. All the feelings we feel and our mental state is completely subjective and are not acquired by any other means than self-observation.

This would not even be an issue if other disciplines received the same credibility as science, however they are deemed as inferior. So many social sciences are conforming to the scientific approach to seem more scientific and gain some credibility. That maybe why many social science majors receive a Bachelors of Arts instead of a Bachelors of Science.

My whole point is that there are many disciplines that are limited and much knowledge to be acquired in unobservable, metaphysical fields, like theology. We are foolish to ignore introspective research since it is the majority of our experience.

Disco fiasco

Sorry that I have not posted in a while. My wife and I have been training for a disco dance competition and were even featured on jibjab.com. We ranked nuber one and now I am back to write. thank you for your support and this week should be full of interesting things… here is something for your entertainment (proof of my disco fiasco)

click me for disco fun

click me for rhythmic fun

The Digestive System of The Brain

Because I promised pooping and I think you do too

In the beginning, I posted notes on facebook. I talked about issues that I happened to be dealing with at the time and what I observed out of those issues. I guess it was like morals from life stories. The first notes were titled “Contemplations From A Constipated Mind.” I got the idea for the title by joking around with a friend but the title fit so well with what the notes were about, so I stuck with it.

What I realized from my notes is that my mind works like a digestive track:

• First in the process is the consumption. My mind simply consumes everything that it can retrieve through specialized input devices. These devices include but are not limited to the eyes, ears, nose, taste, and tiny sensor like nerve endings called touch receptors.

• The next step is the breakdown phase. All of the information gets jumbled into a single area where it is analyzed and torn a part. This is much like the Stomach of the brain. Every bit of information enters the breakdown phase unless it is injected intravenously which will not be discussed here. This is also a very messy phase where information is lost. When a large amount of data is being broken apart and analyzed sometimes important things like my anniversary are selectively lost. It is really an anomaly, like missing socks in the dryer.

• The third phase is the absorption Phase. Once all the information is broken down and easier to digest it is time for it to move on. Light, impressive information will be used immediately giving a quick boost in confidence and intellectual appeal and then lost. Other more hardy information will be sent to existing powerhouses of the brain to reinforce more permanent knowledge structures and will be used often. Lastly, the trivial information is stored in places around the hardy information and is mostly used during long information droughts or a strenuous brain exercise.

• The final phase is my favorite and that is called defecation. This phase is the most rewarding out of all the rest. It provides relief and it does not take nearly as much effort. In most cases you want to savor the moment, especially if shared with a friend. This is when all the waste from your digestion of information is released. I am sure you hear people defecating information everyday. Especially if you are on a college campus or in a high school, there is sure to be defecation. Defecation includes things such as celebrity gossip, political debates, the unintended release of trivial knowledge, and even this blog.

There are also problems that cause complications and a range of uncomfortable behavior. One very common issue is constipation. In many cases, constipation occurs when one bites off more than they can chew, so to speak. This can be from trying to consume more information than that person can digest or a tougher, harder to digest substance. If this is the case, the information will get stuck in phase two and cause brain cramps and lack of appetite. This is not a pleasurable experience in which you are robbed of the joys of defecation.

The other common issue is diarrhea. This is common amongst people who feast on rotten information. Sometimes it could only be a small portion of rotten information that will contaminate your whole system. The contamination will cause steps two and three to not function and the information will bypass them never sufficiently solidifying. This will cause for a very messy defecation and will often splatter on innocent by standers. If one finds themselves with a case of mental diarrhea, the best advice is to stay home and blog privately; but make sure to clean up after you blog.

I only mentioned all of this because I promised pooping and I think you do too. Everyone has this type of system in which information must pass through a series of phases. There are also serious illnesses that can affect the most innocent of conversations. Please be conscious of your defecation to make sure that it is pleasant for others around you.

Happy Pooping