Theos-Talk Archives (December 2004 Message tt00253)

Cass Silva wrote:
> ISN'T PRAGMATISM (COMMON SENSE) THE SAME THING AS KNOWLEDGE (ONE IS
> THE WORKING MAN'S THE OTHER IS THE ACADEMICS) ? SORRY, BUT I DONT
> UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU MEAN BY "SCIENCE TAKES OFF WHEN MATHEMATICS CAN
> BE APPLIED. MATHEMATICS, IN THIS CASE, SHOWS THE INCREASED PROFIT
> MARGIN WHICH WOULD DRIVE THE SHARES UPWARD AT THE RISK OF PUBLIC
> HEALTH.IF YOU CAN INCREASE, BY 83%WITHOUT THE USE OF FERTILIZER THEN
> YOU WILL BE EXPANDING INTO NEW KNOWLEDGE. NO?
Well, you totally garbled up what I said. The key, in science, is that 
when predictions are general, they are of limited use. When predictions 
are precise, then further knowledge can be gained by application of the 
principles involved.

> AGREE, BUT ELECTRICITY DOES FLOW THROUGH WIRES (MY LIGHT SWITCH) AND
> WATER FLOWS THROUGH PIPES (MY DUNNY). I SUPPOSE A NATIVE IN THE
> AMAZON WOULD HAVE NO CONCEPT OF ELECTRICITY OR PIPED WATER, BUT THEN
> THERE REALITY DOESN'T REQUIRE IT. IF THEY CAME TO TOWN, AND WENT
> BACK TO THE VILLAGE WITH THIS NEW KNOWLEDGE, THE TRIBE WOULD THINK HE
> HAD GONE LOCO AND WOULDNT BELIEVE HIM ANYWAY.
Exactly. Consider how H. P. Blavatsky was treated.

Bart