tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609541124817386376.post8482525932409109081..comments2023-12-03T03:00:17.598-06:00Comments on Atheism & Philosophy: The Is-Ought StretchPhilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115141650963300011noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609541124817386376.post-1189628555140648312012-04-13T23:43:17.190-05:002012-04-13T23:43:17.190-05:00Your example could be used to prove "facts&qu...Your example could be used to prove "facts" about the consequences of effective direction of a horror movie and/or the results of folklore about graveyards. The Exorcist took proven conventions of horror filmmaking and stretched them just beyond the limit of what had been done to that point, but imagine the effect of a more contemporary possession-themed horror movie would have had on you at the time compared to how it is perceived by today's teenager. That is a continuum that could be reasonably measured and analyzed. <br /><br />Similarly, the mythology of cemeteries is nothing particularly new, and, according to Harris' definition of "science" as the whole of empirical experience, it could be also explored in more diverse ways than just an adolescent's emotional reaction. <br /><br />I think that Harris might sometimes put too much emphasis on "states of the human brain". There are also states of cultural discourse and social conversation that can play a role in how we look at what he calls 'science'. I guess that's probably why he hasn't suggested a standard for measuring morality so far. It won't be an easy task, and there is almost certainly more to it than one New York Times Best-Seller can hold.S. A. Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04922515301284071064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609541124817386376.post-66366677441348414422012-04-12T22:28:52.886-05:002012-04-12T22:28:52.886-05:00I think this may be misconstruing the point. I too...I think this may be misconstruing the point. I took his point to be that scientists only do their job properly and fully if they place a great value in being methodical with their work, adhering to the rules of reason, being open-minded to their evidence, etc. etc.<br /><br />If scientists do not value these things, they do sloppy jobs and the question of whether science 'works' or not becomes moot, since no one is really doing it.Jamie Suttonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03585832830511543796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609541124817386376.post-56104923980923773092012-04-12T14:39:33.225-05:002012-04-12T14:39:33.225-05:00You've been a consistent Humean, Dean. But a l...You've been a consistent Humean, Dean. But a lot's at stake here, because if nontheists want to take the offensive against charge of relativism, amoralism, etc., it would be nice to say the research program is rolling & (though it won't be coming to a halt any time soon) holds some promise.Philhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02115141650963300011noreply@blogger.com