Re: [asa] PvM's View of What Science IS

Are you telling me that no one, no matter how well they know you, cannot
predict your behavior? Of course, if you think someone has predicted your
action, that changes the situation. From simple human cussedness you'll
do something else, unless you figure that is what is expected. I'll grant
that prediction of a human response is not precise, like that of a
physical formula, but occurs within a reasonable range. If I accept your
claim, you could not tell me how you would behave under a specific
temptation or challenge.
Dave

On Tue, 18 Sep 2007 10:22:56 -0600 Carol or John Burgeson
<burgytwo@juno.com> writes:
<snip>
Dave posted: "This allows psychology, sociology and related studies to be
scientific
despite the fact that they deal with the activities of human beings."

Such, when they deal with statistical probabilities, probably qualify.
But I maintain that when they address an individual person, they cannot,
even in principle, predict how that person will decide on something.
<snip>

To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@calvin.edu with
"unsubscribe asa" (no quotes) as the body of the message.
Received on Tue Sep 18 15:51:34 2007