tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298417819219839.post6206647182329188653..comments2024-03-28T19:27:59.772+00:00Comments on A K Haart: A Sherlock-Spinoza universeA K Haarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05897490979828603179noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298417819219839.post-75647572781062546002014-01-08T18:44:44.062+00:002014-01-08T18:44:44.062+00:00Sackers and Nigel - I take your points, but if one...Sackers and Nigel - I take your points, but if one of our problems concerns uncertainty, then maybe that is at least in part a problem with imprecise language, particularly imprecise definitions.<br /><br />The precautionary principle is in my view a rhetorical device only, a means to take advantage of imprecise language within some framework of prior allegiance. <br /><br />Demetrius - bloggo ergo sum is a good motto - one of the first things I noticed on your blog!<br /><br />James - would your treatise be a result of your modes of thinking?A K Haarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05897490979828603179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298417819219839.post-53916282545736770802014-01-08T08:31:28.708+00:002014-01-08T08:31:28.708+00:00In a Sherlock-Spinoza universe we have eliminated ...<i>In a Sherlock-Spinoza universe we have eliminated impossible forms of awareness to be left with only two - physical reality and modes of thinking. A physical and logical duality. Scientific and many other issues are resolved by physical observation intimately coupled with a logical use of language.</i><br /><br />Oh my goodness - where does one even start on this? Only two forms of awareness? It would require a treatise.James Highamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14525082702330365464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298417819219839.post-21763759882496613052014-01-07T16:45:26.943+00:002014-01-07T16:45:26.943+00:00I am certain only that I am uncertain. Bloggo erg...I am certain only that I am uncertain. Bloggo ergo sum or try Taylor's Holy Living.Demetriushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17198549581667363991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298417819219839.post-49162223413887313752014-01-07T16:36:36.817+00:002014-01-07T16:36:36.817+00:00Hi Sackerson
I agree that the precautionary princ...Hi Sackerson<br /><br />I agree that the precautionary principle can be (used to be) a good thing.<br /><br />However, the principle has been much abused, for political ends - as are many good things.<br /><br />Here is a good article on it that I found years ago: http://www.sirc.org/articles/beware.html <br /><br />Best regardsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298417819219839.post-83437479328452552982014-01-07T15:53:48.396+00:002014-01-07T15:53:48.396+00:00Hi Nigel
I thought it's a reasonable principl...Hi Nigel<br /><br />I thought it's a reasonable principle that in situations of uncertainty and potential peril it is better to be cautious.<br /><br />Will have a look at your link.<br /><br />Best wishesSackersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17284329249862764601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298417819219839.post-42749100771326013372014-01-07T10:59:37.390+00:002014-01-07T10:59:37.390+00:00Sackerson makes a goodish point: we are too ignora...Sackerson makes a goodish point: we are too ignorant of the truths of climate and planet energy balance to know.<br /><br />Sadly, he then spoils that good position by arguing that this ignorance favours the position of the CAWG enthusiasts.<br /><br />There is some information from me <a href="http://www.samizdata.net/2012/08/what-would-chan/#comment-236362" rel="nofollow">here at Samizdata</a> on storage of heat in the oceans. If the link direct to my comment fails, search for "August 2, 2012 at 1:43 pm".<br /><br />As far as I can see, the default position on "don't know" the truth, when someone wants your money to save the world, is a big NO. This is on the basis that snake oil is known to be more common than Armageddon.<br /><br />Best regardsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481298417819219839.post-14544949182783967692014-01-06T21:56:42.835+00:002014-01-06T21:56:42.835+00:00Trouble is, we may not be in possession of all the...Trouble is, we may not be in possession of all the facts, or of the facts accurately; nor cognizant of all the important ways in which they are interrelated. As Goedel showed, a complete mathematical model of the universe is not possible even theoretically, and even if it were, Heisenberg's uncertainty principle means that an accurate factual description of it at any given instant is also impossible.<br /><br />So we work on incomplete information and with some issues, better safe than sorry, perhaps. E.g. the putative additional stored heat in the Earth's energy system may be building up in strata of the oceans, with possible major effects later when some tipping point has been passed.Sackersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17284329249862764601noreply@blogger.com