Wed Sep 28, 2005
Up Next: World Flat After All [Observations]
You know, I'm all for teaching the theory of evolution in schools, but don't blame us Christians if people still want to look behind the curtain for a "prime mover". Actually, science and religion, if practiced properly, have a lot in common: faith transcends what it doesn't understand through intuitive experience, and science transcends what it doesn't understand by re-explaining it. Science gets mad at the arrogance of religion, but religous people get just as mad at the arrogance of science.
Remember how, when we were in school, science taught us that in the days when "religion and superstition" ruled, and people thought the world was flat, ( which educated people didn't, really, think. The Greeks knew the surface was at least curved by observing ships coming up over the horizon and doing a little math) and poor benighted sailors believed that there were such things as gaint squid. Well, guess what? Turns out the Greeks were right about that too. You can see a photo of something that looks just like it came from the curving edge of a 700 year old map under the caption "here be monsters" in this article from AOL. Sigh.
Posted by Ginga Cool Cat at 9:25 PM
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Comment on this entry
There is always truth behind what we think of today as myth and legend. There is even truth behind those creatures drawn on the maps of old.
Scientist, naturalists and zoologists have known about the giant squid for years. Dead specimens have washed up on beaches, been caught in nets and hooked on the ends of long industrial fishing lines. They've just never ever seen a live one until now. It's very cool stuff. Maybe one day they'll find that Loch Ness Monster too. That would be incredible!
Peace,
--Will
Posted by: Will Burnham at September 28, 2005 10:12 PM
My favorite quotes:
"The images are generating considerable excitement among squid experts." (Squid experts?)
"The study team reports that the severed tentacle repeatedly gripped the boat deck and crew after it was hauled aboard." (That's wigging me out.)
Posted by: Theresa at September 29, 2005 9:44 AM
Will is right. I, too, think is truth in most legends. Scientists like to think they know everything but they don't. They might catch Nessie or Big Foot yet!
Posted by: Becky at September 29, 2005 4:30 PM
No reputable or competent scientist believes that they "know everything". The vast majority of the scientific community are profoundly aware of the gaps in knowledge within their field - they deal with them every day.
What gets up science's nose is the logical fallacy of "If you can't explain EVERY aspect of X (or even worse, if a previous theory about X is disproven), then ANY theory you have about X is invalid."
Posted by: Rob at September 29, 2005 5:11 PM
There is always truth behind what we think of today as myth and legend. There is even truth behind those creatures drawn on the maps of old.
Scientist, naturalists and zoologists have known about the giant squid for years. Dead specimens have washed up on beaches, been caught in nets and hooked on the ends of long industrial fishing lines. They've just never ever seen a live one until now. It's very cool stuff. Maybe one day they'll find that Loch Ness Monster too. That would be incredible!
Peace,
Posted by: Will Burnham at September 28, 2005 10:12 PM--Will
My favorite quotes:
"The images are generating considerable excitement among squid experts." (Squid experts?)
"The study team reports that the severed tentacle repeatedly gripped the boat deck and crew after it was hauled aboard." (That's wigging me out.)
Posted by: Theresa at September 29, 2005 9:44 AMWill is right. I, too, think is truth in most legends. Scientists like to think they know everything but they don't. They might catch Nessie or Big Foot yet!
Posted by: Becky at September 29, 2005 4:30 PMNo reputable or competent scientist believes that they "know everything". The vast majority of the scientific community are profoundly aware of the gaps in knowledge within their field - they deal with them every day.
What gets up science's nose is the logical fallacy of "If you can't explain EVERY aspect of X (or even worse, if a previous theory about X is disproven), then ANY theory you have about X is invalid."
Posted by: Rob at September 29, 2005 5:11 PM