cause and effect (fwd)

• Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
• Next message: John Stevens: "Rushton, Racism, and Common Sense"
• Previous message: Anita Cohen-Williams: "Book ads and other notices"

Regarding Mike Lieber's lengthy description of what he believes is
necessary to prove cause and effect relationships - I don't think that
any biological process has been, or can be, proved in that detail. With
the possible exception of Newtonian mechanics I don't think any
scientific proof is possible in any field to that level of detail. Even
simple chemical reactions would have to be observed on an atomic level
to "prove" that adding acid to limestone dissolves the stone leaving a
salt, water, and carbon dioxide gas. Most "scientific" proofs depend on
observations of repeated "causes" and "effects", not on following every
minute step along the way. This is not to say that I believe there is a
direct cause and effect relationship between "race" and "intelligence",
just that I don't think Lieber's requirements for "proof" are
appropriate.

Sandra E. Whitney Associate Director Honors Program University of
Georgia Athens, GA 30602 swhitney@uga.cc.uga.edu

Sandra E. Whitney
Associate Director
Honors Program
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602
swhitney@uga.cc.uga.edu

• Next message: John Stevens: "Rushton, Racism, and Common Sense"
• Previous message: Anita Cohen-Williams: "Book ads and other notices"