On Wed, 05 Feb 1997 09:06:29 -0500, Brian D. Harper wrote:
[...]
>BH>why the switch from MN to N mid-sentence?
>SJ>I had already explained it before. Here it is again:
>
>"It follows from the definition. Naturalism means that nature is all
>there is. So `methodological naturalism' means that the scientist,
>even if he/she is not a metaphysical naturalist (ie. does not
>believe that nature is all there is) must *assume* that nature is all
>there is in doing science."
>
>I presume the "N" in methodological naturalism is the same "N" in
>metaphysical naturalism? If it isn't, perhaps Brian can explain the
>difference between them.
BH>Perhaps we can let Phil explain it. In a footnote on page 212 of
RITB Phil writes..."Methodological_ naturalism --the principle that
>science can study only the things that are accessible to its
>instruments and techniques--is not in question. Of course science
>can study only what science can study. Methodological naturalism
>becomes metaphysical naturalism only when the limitations of science
>are taken to be limitations upon reality...I would not express the
>point that way today..."
>
>I am quite happy with Phil's definition of methodological naturalism:
>
>"the principle that science can study only the things that are accessible
>to its instruments and techniques"
>
>Sound familiar? I hope so since this is what I've been trying to
>explain for decades.
I'm quite happy with it too. What's the difference between the
above and what I said:
SJ>"Naturalism means that nature is all there is. So `methodological
>naturalism' means that the scientist, even if he/she is not a
>metaphysical naturalist (ie. does not believe that nature is all
>there is) must *assume* that nature is all there is in doing
>science."
[...]
God bless.
Steve
-------------------------------------------------------------------
| Stephen E (Steve) Jones ,--_|\ sejones@ibm.net |
| 3 Hawker Avenue / Oz \ Steve.Jones@health.wa.gov.au |
| Warwick 6024 ->*_,--\_/ Phone +61 9 448 7439 (These are |
| Perth, West Australia v my opinions, not my employer's) |
-------------------------------------------------------------------