James_Miller comments on Rationality Quotes Thread March 2015 - Less Wrong

8 Post author: Vaniver 02 March 2015 11:38PM

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Comment author: James_Miller 05 March 2015 02:48:25AM 2 points [-]

True for scientists. But for most people science is indeed a set of answers

Comment author: satt 07 March 2015 10:03:57PM 7 points [-]

I am a scientist, albeit the most junior kind of scientist, and I reckon "science" can legitimately refer to a set of answers or a methodology or an institution.

I doubt anyone in this thread would object if I called a textbook compiling scientific discoveries a "science textbook". I'm not sure even Taleb would blink at that (if it were in a low-stakes context, not in the midst of a heated argument).

Comment author: Grant 26 March 2015 06:57:22AM 0 points [-]

The information in a science textbook is (or should be) considered scientific because of the processes used to vet it. Absent of this process its just conjecture.

I often wonder if this position is unpopular because of its implications for economics and climatology.

Comment author: soreff 07 March 2015 03:59:01AM 3 points [-]
Comment author: [deleted] 12 March 2015 02:39:15PM -1 points [-]

Well, this is a problem you have if your culture is so egalitarian that common people think they are entitled to their own opinions instead of quoting an authority: hopefully one that uses the scientific method properly.