(October 17, 2018 at 8:56 pm)Rahn127 Wrote:(October 17, 2018 at 4:57 pm)RoadRunner79 Wrote: I agree with much of what you said, about testimony. We need corroborating evidence, to show that they where there and can accurately describe what they saw. I just don't agree with sliding scales and special pleading. You might offer some faith, to a inconsequential claim, or something common, and forego this, but others don't need to. On the other hand, one can't really maintain a hyperskepticism either, where everything has an irrationally high scale either. But I agree that testimony is evidence, and evidence needs to be corroborated (whether it is direct evidence or indirect evidence). We also weigh evidence for and against a given conclusion. However an intellectually honest person, shouldn't be dismissing evidence without reason. And I don't find personal incredulity to be a very good reason.
Ok, here is the claim. "I believe that people in the 14th century developed a technique to regrow a lost arm or leg."
Do you think my hypothetical book about regrowing limbs should be considered evidence that supports this claim ?
The book gives the details about the technique from several people who witnessed the regrowth of limbs.
All of the accounts given are slightly different from each other and none of the techniques match 100%.
In three accounts, vinegar is used as a component and in the others it's not.
Some say it takes weeks for any growth to begin and others claim nearly instant regrowth.
Modern day scientists have tried several hundred different variations of the technique with no success.
I'll ask again, do you think a collection of stories that can't be verified for accuracy or truth qualifies as evidence ?
Start any reply with a yes or no and then go from there.
I would want to see the evidence. What it says, and what it doesn’t. Who, where, what they did after (details). I don’t think that an anecdote that you made up is going to be sufficient to show what you want to. You would be better to talk about principles or even real life events, that can be examined. In any case, what I or anyone would do, does not mean that it is logical and rational or consistent.
It is said that an argument is what convinces reasonable men and a proof is what it takes to convince even an unreasonable man. - Alexander Vilenkin
If I am shown my error, I will be the first to throw my books into the fire. - Martin Luther
If I am shown my error, I will be the first to throw my books into the fire. - Martin Luther