Is what Isaac Asimov said true?

Question

"Creationists make it sound as though a 'theory' is something you dreamt up after being drunk all night."

Should we all be open enough to listen to both sides without criticism?

Answer 1

Yes, although we should listen to both the sides before making an objective decision...its easier said than done,and as Don Vito Corleone said in (Mario Puzo's magnum opus) Godfather: every coin (issue) has two sides, and also IMO its always-always better to have more than one viewpoint to perceive an issue from...one should at least be open to listen to what others have to say, even though he/she might not agree with it ultimately.

When a lot of people contribute to an idea or test it, it brings out the shortcomings as well as virtues more quickly to the fore, and also as someone said: The whole is always greater than the sum of the parts.

Answer 2

I think Asimov is right on.

When someone says something is only a "theory" the only thing they are saying is "I do not know what it MEANS to be a scientific theory"

People who use this language think that a theory is a guess or a story made up to explain mundane observations. They confuse theory with mythology.

As scientific theory is the result of taking facts (data, observations, and measurements) and building a TESTABLE model of what causes those facts to exist AND provide a method to make further predictions.

As for "openness to both sides", it does not cut it in this "debate". If we took that attitude, we would have to be open-minded about a whole host of garbage.

For example, should we be "open-minded" about the following other sides of scientific debates:

1. The world is flat
2. The moon is made of cheese
3. Heavy things fall faster (etc,…)

All sound counter arguments to current "theories" right?

People are entitled to their opinion, but are open to critics if the criticism is fair (I think evolution may be wrong because it does not explain fact B) vs. unfair (Evolutionists hate Jesus).

The big issue is not really even evolution anymore, but abiogenisis vs. divine creation (intelligent design). The latter, not being a testable hypothesis is bound to win only by capturing hearts and minds, and not by providing any facts or testable circumstances.

Answer 3

It's more than just "both sides" though. While scientists have reached a general consensus about the Big Bang, there are thousands of creation myths out there.

To list but a few of the more common ones:
Creation from a Cosmic Egg
Creation by Emergence (as from the underworld)
Creation by division of Primordial Unity
Earth Diver
Creation by Sacrifice (usually of a primordial being)
Spider Woman
Creation Ex Nihlo (out of nothing)
Creation from Chaos
Creation by Excretion
Etc. Etc.

If the creation myth from Genesis deserves to be called a "theory" and given equal time, then why shouldn't the rest be allowed the same consideration?

Answer 4

Actually, I came up with this theory after drinking all last night. My theory is that women get better looking the more you drink. It is my theory and I'm sticking to it. I try to be creative, but who needs intelligent design when it is closing time at the Burp and Holler Bar and Grill. I would have loved to have taken a class in Intelligent design when I was in college. " There is a God and he created everything." Class dismissed. Please collect your three credits at the door. There may be some gaps in Darwin's theory, but the evidence of evolution seems to be irrefutable. Before the industrial revolution in England, there was a moth whose wings were white. A hundred or less years after the start of the industrial revolution, none of this species had white wings. They all had dark wings. The ones with white wings were easy targets for birds when factories covered all the buildings with black soot. Those with recessive genes lived to reproduce more moths with dark wings. This is an example of evolution and natural selection compressed into a very short period of time. Religion and science should be able to coexist. The same God who made the heavens could come up with evolution as well. One does not rule out the other.

Answer 5

Absolutely. Everyone should form their own opinion on just about everything. The only way you can form your own opinion is by getting the most information possible. Some of it will sound like pure BS, but some truth will filter through.

My favourite Asimov story was when he was talking about IQ. He said he quite liked the idea of IQ levels because he regularly ended up on the higher end of the scale.

One night he was at a friend's house for dinner and was talking about his wife. The doorbell rang and Asimov shouted "That'll be here!" and jumped up from the table and, as he wasn't used to the layout of the house, ran in to the cupboard, locking himself in.

Answer 6

I'm with the Goatboy on this one. Given that much of what creationists believe has been altered or disproved over the centuries, and that science re-invents itself with every new discovery, to find people who are passionately certain they know what the hell happened, and happens, just makes the corners of my mouth twitch and my thumbs itch to crack a joke.

I'm all for listening to both sides without criticism, but I'm also in agreement with the answerer who said we'd then have to give credence to a lot of theories that no longer make sense. So yeah, let's listen equally, take this discovery lark with enough humour to still be able to laugh at ourselves, and once we've proven something is gibberish, stop giving it credence at that point and move the hell on.

:o)

Answer 7

I think one should always take an open-minded approach and evaluate both sides until facts start to pile up on one side...then the answer becomes clearer.

If you're talking creationism...well, my experience is that they tend to dismiss facts out of hand when it suits them.

Asimov... when he sent in his first manuscript to a publisher (don't recall who , now) one of the editor's readers had the story in the reject pile. The editor picked it up and the reader said it was awfull writing. The editor scanned through it and then said " he tells a wonderful story....we can always teach him to write. A good story teller is hard to find." So, his story was re-written and published and that launched his careet writing sci-fi.

Answer 8

I know the type. A good debater knows AND understands both sides and a good battle is won by knowing AND understanding the adversary. However, the criticism is usually an enabler. That sure would help wouldn't it??

Answer 9

Yes, I agree with Asimov, and yes, we should be open-minded enough to listen to both sides.

Answer 10

We gotta have criticism...and we should all be open to it!!!

It is necessary that everything is open to criticism, because as that Longfellow guy said a while back, "The strength of criticism lies in the weakness of the thing criticized." And if I had a pipe, I'd put that in it and smoke it! Wait...I gotta pipe...be right back...

Answer 11

I agree; it's not always easy as there are fundamentalists on both sides of the fence; when I see someone who is so staunch and po faced in whatever camp, the urge to crack a joke becomes almost overwhelming!