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From: Rev David Rice <shydavid@ktb.net>
To: <1915jor@bellsouth.net>
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1998 20:42:00 -0700
Subject: Evolutionary Theory

Good day, sir.

I am the "evolutionary sciences" volunteer at The Skeptic Tank, so I am addressing your message.

> Sir:
> I am a lawyer, learned in proofs and evidence.

According to Blackstone's "Commentaries on the Laws of England," a lawyer does not deal in "proofs."

> Your criticism is
> generalized rather than specific. It seems to me that you atheist
> evolutionists have been filtering information and evidence for decades,
> and selectively ignore or distort evidence to prove preposterous
> theories...and then call it "science." I admit it must seem challenging
> to attempt to "scientifically" prove a lie...but reward comes from
> proving the truth. Open your mind and let a little truth in. It may
> change yor life.

Science does not have as its venue "proof." Your skills as a lawyer have not prepared you to speak authoritatively about the sciences, because science is done the opposite way lawyering is done.

In the latter, a conclusion is reached and then the lawyer argues for that conclusion. The scientific method, on the other hand, tentatively postulates a hypotheis and then the scientist argues AGAINST it. This is the ONLY way to learn what is true and how the universe works.

A lawyer will argue for a conclusion even when she or he knows it to be false; a scientist will argue AGAINST a conclusion even if she or he believes it to be false.

A lawyer will maintain a conclusion; a scientists' conclusion is always tentative.

Frankly, I'm surprised that a lawyer would be telling scientists how to do science.

One can hope you are a better lawyer than you are a scientist.

---
Rev David Michael Rice
Mariner's Ministries, Dana Point

Shy David's House of Knowledge
http://www.holysmoke.org/
The truth about "Psychics:"
http://holysmoke.org


From: Rev David Rice <shydavid@ktb.net> To: <1915jor@bellsouth.net> Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1998 06:24:13 -0700 Subject: Correction

I wrote:

> A lawyer will argue for a colclusion even when she or
> he knows it to be false; a scientist will argue
> AGAINST a conclusion even if she or he believes it to
> be false.

The sentence should have read "A lawyer will argue for a conclusion even when she or he knows it to be false; a scientist will argue AGAINST a conclusion even if she or he believes it to be true."

That is the scientific method.

--- Rev David Michael Rice Mariner's Ministries, Dana Point

Shy David's House of Knowledge
http://www.holysmoke.org/
The truth about "Psychics:"
http://holysmoke.org

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