The Pursuit of a Proven Fact: Why Science is Full of Holes

In summary, the conversation discusses the nature of science and its pursuit of truth. It acknowledges the limitations and uncertainties of the scientific method, but also highlights its importance in understanding the complex universe. The conversation also mentions the advancements and developments in science, such as the internet and lasers, and the never-ending goal of expanding our knowledge. Ultimately, the conversation emphasizes the fundamental optimism of science and the importance of continuing to pursue the truth, even if it may never be fully attainable.
  • #1
wolram
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why is science so full of holes ,if science was a medical patient and the scientist the doctor the patient would have bled to death by now .we talk of black holes, worm holes, dark matter,vacuum energy, etc etc as if they are a reality, ask a scientist, "what is a proven fact", they reply "nothing",what is the use of continuing to pursue a truth that will always elude us?
 
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  • #2
We (human society) learns a lot in the process, even though it is highly unlikely we'll ever get to an ultimate truth. Meanwhile we've got the internet, lasers, global positioning, just for starters, based on scientific developments (a lot due to Einstein) of the twentieth century.
 
  • #3
"what is a proven fact", they reply "nothing",what is the use of continuing to pursue a truth that will always elude us?
Ah but that is the nature of scientific advancement. The concept of proof in science is always an unattainable one. The key point is that theories are judged on probabilities, not absolute truth. Take Relativity... We know from experimental evidence that it has passed everytime. But there is always the chance that there is something we find that is inconsistent and would press us to revise the theory. So, though all the evidence points towards the theory being correct, it is not a proven fact. Can you really give anything that is a proven fact?
The use of persuing the truth is the fundamental optimism of science. We assume we can never know the whole truth, but we do know we can get closer to it. It is undeniable that our current theories are more accurate than the old classical physics is it not? The point is that while we will never know everything, we can, will know anything. The goal of science is a never ending one of expansion. Stuff like lasers, internet are nice extras.
 
  • #4
Excellent posts, mathman and FZ+

what is the use of continuing to pursue a truth that will always elude us?

You prefer, perhaps, to give up and go back to living in caves? :wink:

The scientific method is the best method we have for figuring out how the universe works. The universe is complex and hard to understand. The scientific method provides a way to examine and test it objectively. The method acknowledges limitations of knowledge and uncertainties. It is designed to be error-correcting.

There are certainly "proven facts" in science, but the "nothing" response you are talking about is the acknowledgment of uncertainty and limitations...we can't know Everything, but we can build the best possible explanatory models based on the best available evidence and work from there.

You'll find Perfect Truth in the fiction section of the bookstore. :wink:

Hmm...shall I send this to Other Sciences or the Philosophy forum?...um, off to Other Sciences it goes!
 

1. What is the main idea behind "The Pursuit of a Proven Fact: Why Science is Full of Holes?"

The main idea is that science is a constantly evolving field and that even the most well-established theories and facts are subject to change as new evidence and technology become available.

2. How does the author support their argument?

The author supports their argument by presenting case studies and examples from various scientific fields, as well as discussing the history of scientific discoveries and how they have been revised over time.

3. Does the book suggest that science is unreliable?

No, the book does not suggest that science is unreliable. Instead, it highlights the importance of being critical and open-minded in the pursuit of knowledge and acknowledges that there are limitations and uncertainties in science.

4. Is this book only for scientists or can anyone benefit from reading it?

This book can benefit anyone who is interested in understanding the nature of science and how scientific knowledge is obtained and validated. It is written in a accessible manner and does not require a background in science.

5. What is the main takeaway from "The Pursuit of a Proven Fact: Why Science is Full of Holes?"

The main takeaway is that science is a process of continual discovery and refinement, and that being critical and open-minded is essential for advancing our understanding of the world.

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