Who are we?

[Eltu]

Originally Posted by Human No More

Knowledge brings happiness. Look out at the universe, and it is the most beautiful thing on Earth. Living on fear and superstition prevents people form understanding something, and it is only by understanding anything that you can appreciate it fully.

I know that you see it that way - and that others may do, too - but I don't. I think it's the pure opposite, "understanding" something by scientific means robs it of its true beauty. Just look at love - it's made into a series of numbers, chemical reactions... until all that makes it beautiful is forever lost.

That's my opinion, anyway - but yeah, we got different ones. Let's respect that and leave it at that.

Originally Posted by Pa'li Makto

I think we are part of a bigger picture and that picture is mother nature /Gaia/ Earth.

Then, we agree.

[Clarke]

Originally Posted by Raiden

Evolution, by definition, is the process by which a species "improves" itself by having certain traits selected for by random events that allow that specific trait to propagate itself.

In humans' case, these traits are not physical, but they're still there. The traits in question are ideas.

[Eltu]

This thread is not to debate evolution (in fact, not to debate anything, notice its location ) - but feel free to make a dedicated thread for it in the debate section.

[Aquaplant]

Originally Posted by Eltu

I know that you see it that way - and that others may do, too - but I don't. I think it's the pure opposite, "understanding" something by scientific means robs it of its true beauty. Just look at love - it's made into a series of numbers, chemical reactions... until all that makes it beautiful is forever lost.

That's my opinion, anyway - but yeah, we got different ones. Let's respect that and leave it at that.

But how on earth does understanding something mean one can't enjoy it anymore? Isn't it better when you understand what brings you happiness?

[Eltu]

If you ask me, there are many ways to understand something. Through science is only one of them.

[Fosus]

What exactly is (not) science? How can understanding not involve science?

[Eltu]

Well, I am referring to this:
Scientific method - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

And I'd say that there are many ways of understanding that does not involve this. Understanding through experiences, for instance. I experience something, and I understand it. I don't know how it works, but I understand it. It's hard to explain, but I still think it's there. Definitely.

[Clarke]

Originally Posted by Eltu

I don't know how it works, but I understand it.

Could we have a copy of The Eltu Dictionary, please?

[Eltu]

..and that's why I said it's hard to explain. I should have expressed myself differently though - I cannot *explain* how it works - but I understand it.

[Fosus]

IMO scientific analysis doesn't "rob the beauty" of anything. Scientific method and all the other methods of understanding are, in one way or another, going hand in hand.

[Eltu]

Exactly, in your opinion. We all feel differently.

[Clarke]

Originally Posted by Eltu

..and that's why I said it's hard to explain. I should have expressed myself differently though - I cannot *explain* how it works - but I understand it.

I think you're mangling words. You don't understand something if you can't explain it. That's pretty much what understanding means.

[Eltu]

Then we disagree.

And as I've said earlier - make a debate thread if you want to discuss this - it's not what this thread is for.

[Fosus]

Originally Posted by Eltu

Exactly, in your opinion. We all feel differently.

Yes, I see. But remember that science is just a tool. It does nothing by itself. You should be accusing scientists, not science. But that wouldn't be quite as straightforward, would it ?

[Eltu]

Oh, I know. And I'm accusing neither - I am accusing the way science is applied, but practically this covers all we now through science, so just saying "science" is simplier.

...that probably sounded very confusing.