Why is there so little respect for Empiricism and Logic?

Question

Columbia University
Nobel Prizes
MIT
Global Warming
Evolution
The NSF
NASA

The extreme right wing has right to dislike liberalism, but it seems to has been taken to the extent of despising reason.

What is the purpose? What is the rationalization?

Anybody can dispute a postulate based on data, but when the fact of just taking raw data is in itself disputed...that's a another story. Have we un-evolved?

Jimsock, I'm not saying observations aren't subjective. Far from it. But when people start bashing ANYTHING that isn't aligned with their beliefs, they start disregarding nearly all data and call any observation made off such as propaganda.

I'm not uptight, though I might seem so. And I don't take facts for granted. I try to prove both sides as hard as I can, and then I pick the better one. Not the best way, but it beats just believing what others say. I just happen to agree with things such as Evolution and and Global warming. Yes I'm biased, but I try to pick the line that isn't.

Answer 1

It's naive to say that numbers (data) can not be manipulated to serve a political agenda.

Every one of those agencies, universities etc. represent a wide range of 'postulates'. More specifics would have been helpful here.
Every one of them has an interest in their self preservation.
That they say they use raw, unequivocal data does not mean they use ALL the raw data.
They too often stop when they feel that their hypothesis has been reached and their funding justified. Then they leave it up to someone else to get the rest and promptly call into question the credentials.
A scientist in MIT can use the same data to disagree with one at Cal Poly. Does that make one or the other 'un-evolved' ?

Edit: Mentat: Agreed. Mindless bashing is childish and unproductive but, you must admit, the bashees reputation precedes them especially with regard to global warming and the Nobel committee irrespective of what data was available to them.
Citing your list above makes me think that you consider them infallible which would be just as mindless as YA bashers.

Trying to reason with mindless bashers might prove an obstacle to your mentat aspiration toward a high level of cognitive power. Instead, try to have some fun with this. There is little else to be gained.

Answer 2

I like to look at all the data which includes the fact that the temperature on Mars is increasing and the fact that hypothesis regarding the effect of Carbon Dioxide are the basis for all man-made global warming claims . . . a theory based on a hypothesis is just that . . . a theory.
It has less to do with liberal and conservative . . . it has more to do with unproven hypothesis and overblown assertions.

Answer 3

Call me paranoid but I always look for ulterior motives.What are they getting out of it?Have they misconstrued the facts?Is everything they use purely statical information?Is the data they're using pertinent to the argument? Yes we have un-evolved,most people have lost their identities to security and handouts believing everything the media says...remember Y2K..LOL

Answer 4

Columbia- Allows enemy of America to speak and spew his anti semite views. But disallows someone trying to guard our borders

Global warming- it exists, it just isnt manmade as Gore claims

Nobel peace prize- Arafat. That should explain it.

Answer 5

This is the $10 million question!

I think it's very possible that human thought can volitionally take two paths- reason and irrationality. Those who have chosen irrationality (most religious people and many conservatives) are/have consequently devolving/devolved.

Answer 6

the "extreme" element is the problem.

right wing extremism is marginalized in America. left's extremism is blatantly spewed day after day after day after day....(you get it?)

so the answer (that is stated in the question) is the problem with extremism. ALL of it is BAD, BAD, BAD!!! and i DO mean ALL of it!!!

Answer 7

i'm not sure what you're asking. liberalism and reason hardly go hand in hand.

Answer 8

Some of us anyway.