The problem with the theory of evolution is that it is treated as equally as other pieces of knowledge in science. Not all pieces of knowledge in science are logically equal. Moreover, school and evolutionists are largely responsible for keeping lay people ignorant of history of science and the dangers of scientism. Materialism has very strong influence on science in the recent centuries. Then, many branches of knowledge are exploiting the reputation of science to make them look better. Too many lay people don't know about them.
There are three different kinds of logic. They are called abduction, induction, and deduction. Deduction is the strongest logic of all. Induction is the next strong logic but it takes only one opposite evidence to fail a theory. Abduction is the weakest logic of all but it is the most powerful logic for generating theories.
Typically, a person encounters a phenomenon. He uses abduction to figure out why it occurs. After he comes up with one or more theories, he uses induction to seek other evidences to prove or disprove theories. If theory can be explained in mathematical or very formal language, he uses deduction to prove the theory is correct.
Mathematics uses most of deduction but also uses abduction to come up with new theories and uses induction for some areas of mathematics (like pi). All branches of science uses different amount of deduction, induction, and abduction. Generally speaking, they can be divided into two groups: Hard science and soft (or speculative) science. Hard science like physics or chemistry uses most of deduction and some of induction. That is because the physics and chemistry are able to use mathematics to prove their theories. But, they do not totally exclude abduction because they need abduction to come up with theories to describe new phenomenon that they have not encountered. Soft science like evolution and behavioral studies uses most of abduction and some of induction. One prominent tool that they use is statistics. Deduction does not rely on statistics but induction and abduction greatly depend on statistics to support their theories.
It is very unfortunate that the evolutionists refuse to allow people to know that not all branches are logically strong. They would prefer to keep them ignorant of the different kinds of logic so that they will not know that some branches are more limited than other branches in term of logic. It is no wonder that they do not have any respect from the true scientists who know that there are limitations on science.
Joseph Pietro Riolo riolo@voicenet.com
Public domain notice: I put all of my expressions in this comment in the public domain.
It is not surprising that only few people understand how
GPL works.
Let's see what GPL takes away from the copyright law:
1. GPL does not allow you to exercise full fair use by
copying a portion from GPL-covered software to your
own program without the requirement to make the source
code of your own program available to the people.
2. GPL does not allow you to enforce patents on other
people by making them pay you royalty.
3. GPL's definition of "derivative work" is much larger
than the definition in the copyright law. Therefore, GPL's
scope is greater than the copyright law.
4. GPL's definition of "program" is also much larger than
the scope of work that is covered by the copyright law.
5. GPL can last longer than the copyright term because
it has no term limitation.
However, unlike the license in this court case, there is
a way to avoid the limitations of GPL. Obtain two copies
of GPL-covered software. With one copy, you agree to the
terms and conditions in GPL. With other copy, you decline
GPL. If there is a way that you want to do but it is
allowed only by the copyright law, you use the second copy.
If there is a way that you want to do but it is allowed only
by GPL, you use the first copy. There, you have both ways.
Joseph Pietro Riolo
Public domain notice: I put all of my expressions
in this comment in the public domain.
Keep in mind that GPL and open licenses rest on the same legal principles as in this case. If you think that the court decision is not right, you also must admit that the legal principles that GPL and open licenses rely on are also not right.
In other words, you can't have cake and eat it.
If you strongly believe in GPL and open licenses, stop whining about the court decision and accept the reality of license.
Joseph Pietro Riolo
Public domain notice: I put all of my expressions in this comment in the public domain.
Slashdot Mirror
The problem with the theory of evolution is that it is treated as equally as other pieces of knowledge in science. Not all pieces of knowledge in science are logically equal. Moreover, school and evolutionists are largely responsible for keeping lay people ignorant of history of science and the dangers of scientism. Materialism has very strong influence on science in the recent centuries. Then, many branches of knowledge are exploiting the reputation of science to make them look better. Too many lay people don't know about them.
There are three different kinds of logic. They are called abduction, induction, and deduction. Deduction is the strongest logic of all. Induction is the next strong logic but it takes only one opposite evidence to fail a theory. Abduction is the weakest logic of all but it is the most powerful logic for generating theories.
Typically, a person encounters a phenomenon. He uses abduction to figure out why it occurs. After he comes up with one or more theories, he uses induction to seek other evidences to prove or disprove theories. If theory can be explained in mathematical or very formal language, he uses deduction to prove the theory is correct.
Mathematics uses most of deduction but also uses abduction to come up with new theories and uses induction for some areas of mathematics (like pi). All branches of science uses different amount of deduction, induction, and abduction. Generally speaking, they can be divided into two groups: Hard science and soft (or speculative) science. Hard science like physics or chemistry uses most of deduction and some of induction. That is because the physics and chemistry are able to use mathematics to prove their theories. But, they do not totally exclude abduction because they need abduction to come up with theories to describe new phenomenon that they have not encountered. Soft science like evolution and behavioral studies uses most of abduction and some of induction. One prominent tool that they use is statistics. Deduction does not rely on statistics but induction and abduction greatly depend on statistics to support their theories.
It is very unfortunate that the evolutionists refuse to allow people to know that not all branches are logically strong. They would prefer to keep them ignorant of the different kinds of logic so that they will not know that some branches are more limited than other branches in term of logic. It is no wonder that they do not have any respect from the true scientists who know that there are limitations on science.
Joseph Pietro Riolo
riolo@voicenet.com
Public domain notice: I put all of my expressions in this comment in the public domain.
It is not surprising that only few people understand how GPL works. Let's see what GPL takes away from the copyright law: 1. GPL does not allow you to exercise full fair use by copying a portion from GPL-covered software to your own program without the requirement to make the source code of your own program available to the people. 2. GPL does not allow you to enforce patents on other people by making them pay you royalty. 3. GPL's definition of "derivative work" is much larger than the definition in the copyright law. Therefore, GPL's scope is greater than the copyright law. 4. GPL's definition of "program" is also much larger than the scope of work that is covered by the copyright law. 5. GPL can last longer than the copyright term because it has no term limitation. However, unlike the license in this court case, there is a way to avoid the limitations of GPL. Obtain two copies of GPL-covered software. With one copy, you agree to the terms and conditions in GPL. With other copy, you decline GPL. If there is a way that you want to do but it is allowed only by the copyright law, you use the second copy. If there is a way that you want to do but it is allowed only by GPL, you use the first copy. There, you have both ways. Joseph Pietro Riolo Public domain notice: I put all of my expressions in this comment in the public domain.
Keep in mind that GPL and open licenses rest on the same
legal principles as in this case. If you think that the
court decision is not right, you also must admit that
the legal principles that GPL and open licenses rely on
are also not right.
In other words, you can't have cake and eat it.
If you strongly believe in GPL and open licenses, stop
whining about the court decision and accept the reality
of license.
Joseph Pietro Riolo
Public domain notice: I put all of my expressions
in this comment in the public domain.