Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site gatech.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!eagle!mhuxt!mhuxi!mhuxa!houxm!ihnp4!we13!otuxa!ll1!sb1!sb6!emory!gatech!spaf From: spaf@gatech.UUCP Newsgroups: net.misc Subject: Re: Earth Centered Universe Message-ID: <313@gatech.UUCP> Date: Thu, 21-Jul-83 10:36:02 EDT Article-I.D.: gatech.313 Posted: Thu Jul 21 10:36:02 1983 Date-Received: Sat, 23-Jul-83 17:27:09 EDT References: <418@sbcs.UUCP> Organization: Georgia Tech, School of ICS Lines: 40 "Proof" means presenting a set of arguments which the listener cannot continue to ignore. Such "proof" causes the listener to reevaluate their belief(s) in light of such "proof." Since there is no absolute frame of reference or absolute system of definition (as in the incompleteness theorem by Godel, relativity, etc), there is no way of ever proving something as absolutely correct. The best that can be hoped for is to prove something consistant with everything else in a system. The problem with groups like the Flat Earth Society, or believers in astrology, or Bible-thumpers, or readers of the National Enquirer, or JFK-assasination conspiracy freaks, or .... is that they have belief systems which are very immune to rational arguments. Of course, they're even more immune to irrational arguments. It takes a hell of a lot of "proof" to get someone to change strongly held beliefs. The principle differences between religion/superstition and science is that we have chosen to use one particular system of valued logic in examining internal consistancy. There are lots of areas where you can change your framework and come up with a whole new (and internally consistant) view of reality. I don't care if the Earth is flat or not. If I can get to Europe withsout falling off the edge, and if people can navigate without anomolies (except near Bermuda), then I really am not too concerned; the system remains consistant. I don't care if astrology works or not. My life is screwed up no matter what or whom is to blame -- the stars, the devil, me, Brownian motion, spirits, or my parents. There is only one "proof" I will not quibble with -- make mine single malt scotch. -- "The soapbox of Gene Spafford" CSNet: Spaf @ GATech Internet: Spaf.GATech @ UDel-Relay uucp: ...!{sb1,allegra}!gatech!spaf ...!duke!mcnc!msdc!gatech!spaf