Klarinet Archive - Posting 000711.txt from 2002/05

From: William Edinger <wde2@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] synesthesia, science, and generally OT comments
Date: Wed, 29 May 2002 18:51:00 -0400

Bill Wright wrote:

"The definitions of both "scientist" and "musician" have changed over
the centuries, haven't they?

Alchemists were called "scientists" once upon a time, and performers
such as Eminem (sp?) are sometimes called "musicians" today."

I'm afraid I can't agree with your argument at all, Bill. There was no
such thing as a "scientist" in the days when alchemists like Parcelsus
ruled - they were just barely beginning to establish the concept of
scientific reasoning, and the term "scientist" in any form had not even
been invented (and for good reason). If you read what Lelia wrote, it's
direct implication was that it was scientists who came up with the idea
that the earth is flat. That's about equivalent to saying that Bach's
cantatas were the inspiration for stomach belches. It doesn't really
even rise to the level of a cheap shot. I certainly don't want to
offend anyone or start a discordant thread here (Lelia - would it help
to tell you I'm a dedicated cat-lover?), but having been a subscriber to
this list for six or seven years, I've often been dismayed by the
unwillingness of so many to accept scientific approaches to issues that
come up - wood vs plastic, rubbing alcohol supposedly destroying
mouthpieces, oral microbiology, etc., etc. Science has shown that
issues like this really can be resolved, but not if people refuse to
dismiss their subjective point of view. This last comment kind of
pushed a button for me, and I apologize if I've been less than tactful.
But please, no preachy comments about scientists being human too, and
subject to error. Of course they are, and they'd generally be the last
to deny it. But can you come up with another approach to dealing with
natural phenomena that has a track record you'd stake your life on?
Think it over the next time you need an antibiotic, or surgery, or safe
water or food.

Bill Edinger

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