Re:Is atomic theory the most important idea in human history?
by baddox on Tuesday January 24, 2017 @04:20AM
(#13469901)
Presumably people were doing roughly the scientific method long before anyone popularized some formulation of the scientific method. Heck, animals (probably even plants) do "trial and error" which I would argue is a very basic form of scientific inquiry. In the context of this thought experiment, I think we're supposed to assume that humans are still capable of rational problem-solving, and the sentence we choose to pass on is a more specific piece of knowledge. After all, we're clearly assuming that some basics (like the ability to understand the sentence) are maintained.
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Re:Is atomic theory the most important idea in human history?
by whatshisface on Tuesday January 24, 2017 @09:18AM
(#13471435)
Before the scientific method, there was the philosophical "the idea that sounds the most convincing is true" method, and the biological "the ideas that my unconscious sensory system implants in me are true" method. It took a fairly long time for people to realize that the former's severe issue with many things sounding convincing could be addressed by carefully designing situations (experiments) where the latter would prune them down.
Re:Is atomic theory the most important idea in human history?
by taneq on Tuesday January 24, 2017 @08:12PM
(#13477518)
That's the thing though, they weren't! Occasional smart people did follow something similar, but not with the methodical approach required to produce real results. Up until fairly recently, almost all humans believed that you could divine everything you needed to know about the world from pure contemplation. The idea that your hypothesis is worthless until backed by hard evidence is relatively new, and coincides pretty well with the sudden rapid advancement of technology.
Re:Is atomic theory the most important idea in human history?
by marcosdumay on Tuesday January 24, 2017 @09:15AM
(#13471412)
Less social animals have a much easier time than we do. Humans are hard wired to not trust the scientific method, as it is harmful for politics.