Scientific Quotes That Blur the Boundaries Between Mysticism and Science
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Re: Scientific Quotes That Blur the Boundaries Between Mysticism and Science
#2Is it only physicists in this article because physics has reached a limit in terms of what it can measure without resorting to mathematical or philosophical abstractions? I've seen a lot of these kinds of quotes from physicists but not as many in other fields. Not a criticism, just an observation/question.
Re: Scientific Quotes That Blur the Boundaries Between Mysticism and Science
#3It is worth noting that being an expert in one's field does not preclude one from saying stupid things. Lots of otherwise rational scientists can get caught up in mysticism.
Re: Scientific Quotes That Blur the Boundaries Between Mysticism and Science
#4Isaac Newton practiced alchemy. What it comes down to is that all claims require a standard of validation and evidence, regardless of who makes them. I am often bothered by quotes bandied around by the incredulous about things Albert Einstein has said as arguments for supernatural ideas. Even if it were the case it doesn't matter if an otherwise brilliant scientist said or believed in quackery. Some people are so unfamiliar with how science works that there is a fundamental problem for them not understaning that it is not being about who said or wrote something, it's about what they said. And not everything those people said is of equal value.
If some person were to discover the explanation for dark matter in the universe with substantial evidence and then later in life turn around saying fairies were also real, it would not make fairies real.
Re: Scientific Quotes That Blur the Boundaries Between Mysticism and Science
#5Is it only physicists in this article because physics has reached a limit in terms of what it can measure without resorting to mathematical or philosophical abstractions? I've seen a lot of these kinds of quotes from physicists but not as many in other fields. Not a criticism, just an observation/question.
My guess is that it's that these particular branches of physics and philosophy overlap considerably in the field of "what are the fundamentals of stuff". A biologist is interested in how organisms work, but is less interested in how the atoms making the organism came to be. A materials scientist is interested in how different things are tough/strong/flexible/tasty over the fundamental origin of those things. A social scientist is more interested in how humans interact with each other than how humans physically originated.
Re: Scientific Quotes That Blur the Boundaries Between Mysticism and Science
#6It is worth noting that being an expert in one's field does not preclude one from saying stupid things. Lots of otherwise rational scientists can get caught up in mysticism.
Yep! Robert Aumann is a very religious person. I find that particularly ironic given Aumann's Agreement Theorem.
Re: Scientific Quotes That Blur the Boundaries Between Mysticism and Science
#7It's slightly sad that even when one can thrust one's mind to the fringes of a human knowledge, our brain's flaws remain; by which I mean: the human consciousness seems highly inclined to accept one's culture's common behaviours, even if that means accepting fallacies and irrationalities.
Perhaps our consciousnesses being shaped by evolution has essentially betrayed us at scale, by letting us adopt/inherit nearly any behavior or belief, and on a societal level we ought to make up by not letting just any irrational bullshit that gets spread around persist.
Re: Scientific Quotes That Blur the Boundaries Between Mysticism and Science
#8[deleted]
Re: Scientific Quotes That Blur the Boundaries Between Mysticism and Science
#9That a scientist says something mystical does not validate the mystical approach. Science is a process. Individual's sense of wonder is a precious thing but not science even if a scientist attempted to express it.
I.e. there was nothing extra sciency in Eintein's sneeze, a cobbler does not excrement shoes nor is Usain Bolt practicing sports when he sleeps.
Re: Scientific Quotes That Blur the Boundaries Between Mysticism and Science
#10Isaac Newton practiced alchemy. What it comes down to is that all claims require a standard of validation and evidence, regardless of who makes them. I am often bothered by quotes bandied around by the incredulous about things Albert Einstein has said as arguments for supernatural ideas. Even if it were the case it doesn't matter if an otherwise brilliant scientist said or believed in quackery. Some people are so unf…
The scientific method lays out series of steps. The inspiration that leads to creating a hypothesis often involves connecting concepts and expanding awareness.
Mysticism seems like a process of wonder & appreciation of Existence. The unified whole where some parts are explained and some unexplained. A journey, not a destination. The phenomena beyond the reach of current understanding. The process of expanding consciousness.
If the concept of mysticism motivates people to explore Existence, then it sounds like it would have a positive impact, no?
Please note the differences between esoteric mysticism (spirituality) vs exoteric religion. One involves the process of inner exploration and the other involves the process of social coercion.