Epistemological Standards in Theory-Formation

[Paul Martin]

what exactly do we mean by CREATION and what exactly are these acts of creation?

Because if you talk bible creation (6000yr ago, in 6days) then evidence speaks against you. SO what exactly you mean by creation for our understanding?

Good question. I think Loseyourname was the first to raise the question by stating, "No method of science excludes the possibility that the universe was created, but the hypothesis is excluded from being evaluated in the sense that no scientific methodology can evaluate such a claim."

If, as sneez suggests, we mean biblical creation, then loseyourname is right. But if we mean by 'creation' that there was some component of deliberate conscious action involved in the origination of whatever part of reality we want to consider, then there are many possibilities some of which can be investigated by scientific methodology and others may be investigated if only the methods of science were extended somewhat.

Warm regards,

Paul

 

[moving finger]

Then the pope would have the ultimate rigorous conditions. This isn't exactly something to be proud of.

Has anyone asked the Pope how he decides what is true and what not true?

I would be interested to examine the rigour of his method for determining truth.

Best Regards

 

[Canute]

I'm not convinced that rigour plays any part in his method. In fact I'm not even sure that he has a method.

 

[Rade]

How does the Pope "know" the truth ?--he knows these words--John 14:6...Jesus said ...I am the truth...

 

[Eric England]

Being nattily attired is proof of knowledge in any business.

 

[selfAdjoint]

I think this Pope stuff is getting way OT. But if you want to know, the Roman Catholic Church does not believe that inspiration ended with the apostles, there is also the communion of the saints. Throughout the history of the church various people have had visions where they received information from some saint, or most often from one or another manifestation of the Blessed Virgin (i.e. the Virgin Mary). And the Pope was declared by the First Vatican Council to be infallible when he speaks "ex cathedra" on matters of faith and morals. Not only may he receive inspirations himself but he is thought to be able to discern which inspirations of others are true and which false.

Not exactly experimentally accessible.

 

[moving finger]

How does the Pope "know" the truth ?--he knows these words--John 14:6...Jesus said ...I am the truth...

How (ie by what means) does he know they are true? Where is the rigorous procedure that he uses for determining the truth of these words?

Best Regards