Quote:Also, the talk of wanting "proof" in research that involves empirical data can only generate theses that are judged by degrees of probability. This is because someone can introduce new, relevant data, or one might advance new arguments that either increase or decrease the probability assessment of a given thesis.
Precisely. The continued study of an issue and the introduction of new evidence is what science does. That is the main reason for keeping religion ( or its bastard siblings creationism and intelligent design out of science classrooms.) One can "teach" science...one can only "preach" religion which is what the nutjobs mean when they say they want religious hogwash "taught" in public schools.
Consider the reaction of the bibliotards when the gnostic gospels were found at Nag Hammadi. These finds were as welcome as a nun at a nudist colony. Had the Nag Hammadi finds come a few centuries earlier they would have been burned as heretical. Fortunately, we live in somewhat more enlightened times!
