David_J_Balan comments on You're Entitled to Arguments, But Not (That Particular) Proof - Less Wrong

57 Post author: Eliezer_Yudkowsky 15 February 2010 07:58AM

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Comment author: David_J_Balan 16 February 2010 05:30:33AM 3 points [-]

The basic point here is a good one, and it's obviously right as it applies to evolution and very likely to AGW as well, though I know very little about that and rely entirely on the fact of the scientific consensus in forming my opinion. But at the same time it is important to keep in mind that just because someone has worked hard and offered you the best evidence that they could be reasonably expected to muster under current circumstances, that doesn't necessarily mean that they have come anywhere near proving the case.

Comment author: Eliezer_Yudkowsky 16 February 2010 07:50:08AM 3 points [-]

Of course. But it is logically rude to demand some knowably unobtainable even-if-they're-right proof instead, and then toss all the other arguments out the window.

Comment author: David_J_Balan 16 February 2010 04:07:09PM 0 points [-]

Agreed