Discussing kayak reviews, I wrote: > > Subjectivity is a fact of life. Even the most sophisticated scientists > > will often acknowledge that subjectivity permeates everything (consider > the> > Heisenberg Principle). I don't mind a little subjectivity in kayak > reviews, [] Then John Winters wrote: > Secondly, No, scientists do not acknowledge that subjectivity permeates > everything. It may permeate many thinking processes. Scientists do, however, > recognise that science is the search for the immutable laws of the universe > not the variable whims of people. > > Third, the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle states that, it is impossible to > simultaneously determine the position and momentum of an atom. It explains> why Newtonian mechanics is inapplicable at the atomic level. Not much to do> with subjective opinion. [ ] John, I think you sort of missed my point. This could take us far afield, which is not my intention. I was simply trying to point out that many people -- including most journalists and many scientists -- recognize that "objectivity" in human endeavors is often, if not always, a myth. There are many views of science. My point regarding the Heisenberg Principle was that even some of the most fundamental laws of science recognize the difficulty or impossibility of real "objectivity" in human observation or study of the physical universe. Heisenberg's point went well beyond your very narrow description of it, and included the notion that the mere *observation* of something (eg, an atom) changes it, and that therefore it cannot actually be viewed in its "objective" or natural state. This is often invoked by philosophers of science (and philosophical scientists) as an example of how it is so difficult to achieve "objective" knowledge. Social scientists often invoke the same notion, metaphorically or by analogy, pointing out that any study of human society begins from within, and is a part of, that very same human society, and therefore cannot purport to be truly "objective". The thing being studied includes the thing that is the study. Objective reviews of kayaks? Well, if nuclear phycisists can't "objectively" study the movement of atomic particles, I doubt very much that a bunch of kayakers, of any skill or experience level, can do better. I'll settle for subjectivity, coupled with experience and good intentions. Sorry for the pedantry. It's a major character flaw of mine. . . Mark *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Aug 16 2000 - 06:21:55 PDT
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