Subject:     	 Re: Q. on Penrose arg: why new *physics*?
From:         	"Phil Roberts, Jr." 
Date:         	1997/08/07
Message:	33ea2460

JRStern wrote:
> 
> On Thu, 07 Aug 1997 10:41:36 -0400, "Phil Roberts, Jr."
> 
> >Personally, like most theorists, I prefer a theory which maximizes
> >explanatory coherence:
> 
> Whether it agrees with the data or not!
>

How did you manage to convince yourself that maximizing explanatory
coherence isn't about data?  You might want to check out
Pierce or Harmon, Thagard, Bill Lycan, all good sources on
this.

Here's a brief of the theories I am aware of that have also tried
to force the ugly daughter's foot (anomlous human behavior) into 
Cinderella's slipper (theory of natural selection):

1. The reason Evel Knievel jumped across the Snake River canyon is because 
he was suffering from a subconscious displaced territorial aggression (Lorenz -
ethology).

2. The reason Evel Knievel jumped across the Snake River canyon is because 
he was having to suppress sexual urges a little too much and the psychical 
energy just has to find another avenue (early Freud).

3. The reason Evel Knievel jumped across the Snake River canyon is because 
his mother took the bottle out of his mouth before he was finished feeding 
just one too many times (behaviorist's generalization theory - Thorndike).

4. The reason Evel Knievel jumped across the Snake River canyon is because 
there was a significant probability that it will benefit similar copies of his 
DNA, e.g. the DNA of a passing bird or what have you (kin selection a la 
E.O. Wilson, The Society for Philosophy and Psychology, etc.).

5. The reason Evel Knievel jumped across the Snake River canyon is because 
was was trying to maximize his sense of self worth made deficient by
an increase in valuative objectivity within the species above and 
beyond what is optimal for prudent behavior (Phil Roberts, Jr.).


I think 5 is the obvious winner.  Obviously you're not buying it.  
Explain please.


-- 

               Phil Roberts, Jr.

Feelings of Worthlessness from the Perspective 
     of So-Called Cognitive Science
  http://www.geocities.com/Athens/5476