[extropy-chat] Religious worldviews

Harvey Newstrom mail at HarveyNewstrom.com
Mon Dec 15 07:42:42 UTC 2003


Giu1i0 Pri5c0 wrote,
> I believe things happen because of the laws of science. This statement
> is true by definition, since the word science means trying to understand
> why things happen.

So far so good...

> There are at least two "religious" scenarios that can be formulated
> entirely within the conceptual framework of modern science: An
> "Omega Point" scenario, and a "Simulation" scenario.

I have always failed to see how these two scenarios are any more scientific
than other religions.  They may use more scientific buzzwords, but their
logic still is based on unconfirmable conjecture that cannot be detected via
the scientific method.  They both violate Occam's Razor by introducing
uprovable, undetectable, unnecessary complications to existing theories
without adding any predictive or explanatory value.  How is this based on
modern science?

> In both cases, concepts very similar to those found in conventional
> religions, such as higher powers "in charge" of the world, survival
> of a "soul" after biological death, and "heaven",

There is a reason for this.  Both of these "theories" were invented to
address the hopes and fears of human psychology, just like any religion.
They were not developed to address observed phenomena, just like any
science.

> I enjoy thinking about these and similar scenarios in idle moments but,
> on the basis of our current scientific understanding of the universe,
> do not consider them as anything more than interesting theoretical
> speculations, mixed with some wishful thinking. In particular, I do
> not consider them as acceptable basis for any decision that I have to
make.

That is because they are like other religions.  They have cannot be detected
or proven, and therefore have no affect on our reality.  Even if you concede
that these scenarios are true, it doesn't change any other attribute of
science.  It doesn't help you predict anything.  It doesn't help you do
anything.  It doesn't help you explain anything.  All these scenarios can do
is give you an excuse for not trying to work so hard, because this life
isn't real and the imaginary scenarios will fix everything for us.

--
Harvey Newstrom, CISSP, CISA, CISM, IAM, IBMCP, GSEC
Certified IS Security Pro, Certified IS Auditor, Certified InfoSec Manager,
NSA Certified Assessor, IBM Certified Consultant, SANS Certified GIAC
<HarveyNewstrom.com> <Newstaff.com>





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