Philosophy of Science

[Wootah]

Nobody said science is beyond reproach. In fact, it viscerally attracts reproach, whether it likes it or not. That's what makes it good for democracy. Look, for instance, at the visceral reproaches to the sciences of abortion or climate change. Those debates are good for the community.

You don't get that kind of visceral reproach occurring in the Islamic world, hence the starvation of democracy.

Reproach might of been going too far. I don't even want science on a pedestal - even if it is small.

I really don't know why you referenced Islamic world, science and democracy. Democracy won't fix the Islamic world. The Islamic world wants Sharia law, you cannot separate Sharia law from Islam. Anyway that's a digression.

The stagnation of science in Islam is religious. Viewing the world as Allah's will meant that there was no need to examine cause and effect.

[philofra]

Viewing the world as Allah's will meant that there was no need to examine cause and effect.

Right there! And when there is no such examination there is no possibility of democracy. That's what makes science an institution for democracy, that enhances democracy.

[Wootah]

Right there! And when there is no such examination there is no possibility of democracy. That's what makes science an institution for democracy, that enhances democracy.

Science can inform decision making. Decision making can be made by anyone.

[i blame blame]

Have to make this short - must get dinner on the table...

Science put food on your table, as well as a roof over your head and cloths on your back. One can't say religion did that unless one is delusional.

Science also enhances democracy in that its pursuit encourages debate and discourse. In doing so it vitalizes the process, not freeze it in dogma.

I am not talking Scientism, which refers to an ideology or junk science. No, I am talking about the science of research and discovery, a secular and open discipline. It is an activity that doesn't claim a truth but pursues a truth.

And model truth.

Every human endeavor has its down side.

Yes, the power of science can be the proverbial double edged sword.

I wonder what the scientist-engineer(s) who independently invented the double edged sword thought after having completed their feat.

Surely everyone benefits from science even non-democracies. How does it benefit a non-democracy to not practise science?.

Agreed!

Viewing the world as Allah's will meant that there was no need to examine cause and effect.

The situation is more complex than that. There were many advances made in natural science and mathematics in the Middle East, most notably in astronomy in the middle ages. Today scientific achievement is very much tied to the economy and prosperity. The economic situation of much of South America is similar to that of much of "the Islamic world" and so is the rate of scientific discovery. Besides, there are many Muslim scientists working both abroad and at home.

Why is Saudi Arabia not a scientifically successful country, you might ask? I think the main reason would be that ever since they discovered to be living above one huge blob of oil, the Saud family have become lazy-ass bastards who let brown people do all their menial work and white people all their engineering...

Yes I know, that's a heavily stereotyped depiction of the situation.

[philofra]

I wonder what the scientist-engineer(s) who independently invented the double edged sword thought after having completed their feat.

One does not invent a double edge sword, metaphorically speaking. It is just a natural outcome of human endeavor, the good and the bad.

[i blame blame]

I wonder what the scientist-engineer(s) who independently invented the double edged sword thought after having completed their feat.

One does not invent a double edge sword, metaphorically speaking. It is just a natural outcome of human endeavor, the good and the bad.

But one does, literally speaking. It must have been invented at least once. I guess it's possible it was also discovered by accident, the blacksmith having forgotten that he'd already sharpened one edge and then going on to sharpen the other, and then realizing the beautiful, deadly mistake he made.