A point everyone seems to be missing here is that there ARE no scientific facts. There are only scientific theories. During any given era there may be what we “believe” to be proven scientific facts that have gone through rigorous, repeated testing by many in the scientific community. Then the next generation comes along and proves some of those well respected theories to be exactly that—theoretical. Phlogiston anyone? (Just one very small example of something that was accepted as scientific “law”—so much so it was at one time added to the periodic table of elements until it was finally proven it didn’t even exist.) - A closed mind is a trap.
Out of curiosity: about what percentage of LW’s content would you estimate you read before choosing to share your belief that everyone but you has failed to notice this pattern?
A point everyone seems to be missing here is that there ARE no scientific facts.
There are scientific facts, as the phrase is commonly understood. Anything that is independently verifiable is considered to be a scientific fact. Facts are not built upon theories; theories are built upon facts.
You would be right to say that that sensible scientists don’t claim that they are definitely correct. They tentatively believe what the available evidence currently suggests. No more, no less.
A point everyone seems to be missing here is that there ARE no scientific facts. There are only scientific theories. During any given era there may be what we “believe” to be proven scientific facts that have gone through rigorous, repeated testing by many in the scientific community. Then the next generation comes along and proves some of those well respected theories to be exactly that—theoretical. Phlogiston anyone? (Just one very small example of something that was accepted as scientific “law”—so much so it was at one time added to the periodic table of elements until it was finally proven it didn’t even exist.) - A closed mind is a trap.
Out of curiosity: about what percentage of LW’s content would you estimate you read before choosing to share your belief that everyone but you has failed to notice this pattern?
There are scientific facts, as the phrase is commonly understood. Anything that is independently verifiable is considered to be a scientific fact. Facts are not built upon theories; theories are built upon facts.
You would be right to say that that sensible scientists don’t claim that they are definitely correct. They tentatively believe what the available evidence currently suggests. No more, no less.