At one of the recommended links here, Common Sense Science, there is a section on the philosophy of reality that should put to rest the idea that scientists are all unbiased and rational. For example:
In the Western world, the leading physicists advocate one or more of the eight forms of quantum reality, with most holding to the Copenhagen Interpretation that There is no deep reality. “The Copenhagen interpretation properly consists of two distinct parts: 1. There is no reality in the absence of observation; 2. Observation creates reality. `You create your own reality….’ ” As stated by a much honored professor of Quantum Theory, “We now know the moon is demonstrably not there when nobody looks.” This is not merely hyperbole; “Physicists do not put forth these quantum realities as science fiction speculations concerning worlds that might have been, but as serious pictures of the one world we actually live in: the universe outside your door.” (Source)
Well then, if this is not considered science fiction by much-honored professors of quantum theory, then I don’t know what is. But I propose an experiment: Let’s say the good professor only imagines he has diplomas. Have him lay the diplomas on the table and walk to another room so he can’t see them. If they disappear, then he has proven his theory of reality. Oh, but then we’d be imagining that they were still there. Hmm… an unfalsifiable theory. Is that science?
Not. What’s even more astounding is that so many of them observe the same reality. Wow, what are the odds? And why can’t these people imagine, as the brilliant philosopher and scientist John Lennon did, that there’s no suffering in the world? Would they then blame the rest of us for not imagining it too? Can the suffering blame their problems on people who don’t share their imagination to make it stop? Are they going to blame those who still suffer for failing to imagine properly?
I can’t see any difference between this so-called science and the old faith healer excuse: “You aren’t healed because you have little faith”. Somehow it’s always the victim’s fault. The religion hucksters tell people they need special revelations or training to understand the “hidden things”– just like these scientists; this claim can’t be falsified. And the scientists would tell us we just aren’t capable of comprehending the math so they brush off our appeal to reality as it actually is.
It’s also identical to the idea that “libertarian free will” is impossible. Never mind observation or the experiences of all mankind, it just isn’t possible on paper, so it must not exist. Theory is put before reality. Yet we are faced with the same sort of problems as the other theories: Why do people who deny free will get upset at people who affirm it? Why do they care about anything at all, since we’re all puppets on strings? Why try to stop suffering, war, crime, injustice, since Fate (or God) has already written the script and we cannot change it? This theory, like the others, cannot be falsified.
Someone may well argue that the God of the Bible can’t be falsified either, but I believe otherwise. We exist, the universe exists, and we can’t wish it, or us, away. Reality does indeed exist independently of our thoughts (which wouldn’t exist if we were merely figments of some other imagination), and it all must have a Cause (see The Fountain of Truth link here under Features). The God behind the Reality is the only one whose Word I trust.
