I Believe We Were Created: Change My Mind
The basics. Start simple, from the top. Don't preach. My first question is, what is the scientific method?
This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »
ElwoodBlues · M
Here it is in the form of a flowchart:
![]()
Here's what Feynman said:
Guess --> compute consequences --> compare to nature
NOTE: Compare to nature includes experiment and/or experience and/or observation.
[sep][sep][sep][sep][sep][sep]
Implicit in both these is the notion that the theory must falsifiable. To illustrate that notion, what's a theory that's NOT falsifiable? My favorite is the Flying Spaghetti Monster 'theory': https://www.spaghettimonster.org/
This 'theory' states that the Flying Spaghetti Monster deceives the scientific world, altering the apparent results of experiment and observation. This is possible only because the Flying Spaghetti Monster is the only all-powerful being, and only all-powerful beings can change careful observations and laboratory results unbeknownst to the scientists; thus showing that the Flying Spaghetti Monster must, in fact, exist.
You can't falsify the FSM 'theory' because the FSM is always altering results and observations to suit their whim. Both the true and false branches in the flowchart above are controlled by the whim of the FSM.
Since FSM is NOT falsifiable it doesn't belong in the domain of science. Philosophy perhaps, but not science.
Here's what Feynman said:
Guess --> compute consequences --> compare to nature
NOTE: Compare to nature includes experiment and/or experience and/or observation.
[sep][sep][sep][sep][sep][sep]
Implicit in both these is the notion that the theory must falsifiable. To illustrate that notion, what's a theory that's NOT falsifiable? My favorite is the Flying Spaghetti Monster 'theory': https://www.spaghettimonster.org/
This 'theory' states that the Flying Spaghetti Monster deceives the scientific world, altering the apparent results of experiment and observation. This is possible only because the Flying Spaghetti Monster is the only all-powerful being, and only all-powerful beings can change careful observations and laboratory results unbeknownst to the scientists; thus showing that the Flying Spaghetti Monster must, in fact, exist.
You can't falsify the FSM 'theory' because the FSM is always altering results and observations to suit their whim. Both the true and false branches in the flowchart above are controlled by the whim of the FSM.
Since FSM is NOT falsifiable it doesn't belong in the domain of science. Philosophy perhaps, but not science.