(2017-10-30, 02:50 PM)Silence Wrote: Krauss wrote a book titled A Universe from Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather than Nothing.
Its subject is generally, if not specifically, within his academic realm of expertise. It postulates a materialist solution to one of the age old "God of the Gaps" questions: Who/what started this whole thing? Its reception appears to have been mixed at best (at least within scientific circles). Many scientists have challenged the book.
It appears to be (clearly) motivated by Krauss' personal faith in materialism or perhaps his personal quest against organized religion.
He appears equally biased, albeit in the opposite direction, as any faith-based scientist seeking affirmation of their metaphysical worldview. Should I still take Krauss' word on physics as pure?
I'm not sure why you would, with respect to his own speculations? If the reception to his own ideas have been mixed, that wouldn't be an example of agreement on what sort of valid conclusions the research supports, would it?
Personally (and I know that I am in the minority on this), if I see something written with an obvious agenda in mind, I don't even bother reading it, even if it happens to support my own ideas/beliefs.
Quote:I may have gone in another direction here Linda, and if so I apologize. For me, at least, my frustration with science is what appears to be many of its members' overstepping of their actual scientific authority.
I agree with you on that. I thought (hoped) that what I wrote referred to members confining themselves to what could reasonably be considered their area of expertise. And that what they conveyed represented ideas which had been established, rather than personal opinion and speculation.
Quote:There is an inherent dishonesty that I find concerning. The dogma of materialism seems quite similar as what we see from religious fundamentalism.
Well, you may be more familiar with that than I am. I haven't really spent any time reading about the dogma of materialism, and it doesn't seem to be something which comes up in scientific/academic work.
Quote:Additionally, we haven't addressed the impact of money and power on the scientific community as yet.
I'm curious as to how you see that as relevant to what I asked?
Linda