Lost marbles (Introduction)

by David Turell , Tuesday, November 03, 2009, 01:11 (5291 days ago) @ George Jelliss


> I'd like to put in a good word for induction. It is essentially the way science works. We look at the facts, the data, and collect as many different cases as possible, and then try to fit a theory or formula to the data, and then work out the consequences of these, and go back to testing whether the predictions agree with nature. > 
> The problem with the examples cited by DT in this thread is that they are not based on induction but are in the realms of pure speculation, if not fantasy. It is then necessary to apply other criteria, such as Ockham's razor, or aesthetic considerations, or plain common sense, to prevent us being carried away with imagination, until such time as we have more empirical data.-Finally got around to answering this. It seems that George is upset with my line of reasoning. Yet I suddenly discover Frank has arrived, and I have read everything he has written. Before that only Bella and I felt the same way. Because our conclusions do involve both thoughts and feelings. I have not had a mystical or meditative experience, as the two folks who agree with me, that panentheism is a reasonable position to take. None of us active on this website really 'know' the truth, neither the agnostics, the atheist, or we three panentheists. And we three each have some differing concepts.-As I have explained before, I left medical school as an agnostic, and after many years of reading particle physics and cosmology, starting about age 40, at about age 55 I reached the conclusion there was a greater power, and it was only after that, did I delve into Darwin, up to which time I had blindly accepted the theory without much thought. As you know I now think it is full of holes and inadequate to explain the layers of complex genetic controls shown in the article by Shapiro that I posted here about a week ago.-When I made my realization that there had to be a greater power to explain all I had learned, I had a very warm internal feeling in my chest, hair seemed to rise up on my back, and I felt like I did when I knew I was in love and marry (both times). I don't know if that is a mystical 'experience'. It sounds like what Frank has alluded to in his experience. All I know is it feels good.