Blogogetics

“All men by nature desire to know.” The curiosity of a child comes immediately to mind thus proving Aristotle’s statement. I would be quick to add, “Most men do not desire to know how they know.” We just “know”. We know a variety of things, both to our benefit and to our detriment. Some things we think we know but are merely a matter of opinion or preference. Other things we may think, are a matter of opinion, but may really be a matter of knowledge. How do we tell the difference? Is it even possible to tell the difference? If it is not possible to tell the difference then the only things that we truly can know are those things that experience tells us. And all other things that are not a matter of experience become opinion.

The study of how we know what we know is called epistemology. The study of epistemology asks questions like where do I get my knowledge, and how is it derived? Those who have bothered to ask the question, how do we obtain knowledge, have observed that knowledge is obtained through experience, reason, and revelation. Not all have agreed on the three modes of reception; while in our culture it is fashionable to reject anything can be known at all. Knowledge itself is difficult to define, books have been written through the ages on the subject. But for our purpose we shall define it as that which coheres with reality and corresponds with reality. The denial of knowledge therefore results in contradiction in some way. We may not know this contradiction but if we hold a belief that is against reality then that belief cannot be considered knowledge, although we may hold it to be so. For instance if I believe there is a parrot on a perch next to me, can that belief be considered knowledge? Only if in fact there is a parrot on a perch next to me. This belief corresponds with reality and does not contradict other circumstances; it has coherence. But what do you do with the belief, “Humans have value”, that intrinsic value which cannot be separated from the individual? That type of value that the framers of the American Constitution labeled “inalienable”? Is this knowledge or is it just a belief? Is this a moral claim or a preference claim? If all knowledge is gained from experience than this supposed moral claim is in fact a preference claim and nothing more.
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Tags: Science by Thomas Moller
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This is a follow-up to the post Of Eggs and Embryos which you may want to read first.

Let’s say there is a world much like our world. This world has golden sunsets, this world has blue-green seas and luminous nights. This world has animals abundant with might and people pursuing prosperity. Due to technological advancement, food is abundant and the common cold has been cured. Poverty has been beaten back and charity is common. Welcome to Gaia. Gaia is paradise attained almost. In Gaia, as in our world, not all afflictions have been defeated; some infirmity and distress still remain. But, as Monty Python said, “cheer up old chap” things look promising. The potential promise of a fulfilled, and fulfilling, utopia, might be found in a culture dish no larger than 10cm in diameter. The elixir found in this reddish – orange liquid medium are known as stem cells and not just ordinary adult stem cells but embryonic stem cells (ESC’s). That certain type of stem cell that hasn’t yet “pipelined” down their developmental pathway. As in our world, ESC’s do come with a contentious price; they require the destruction of an embryo. The value of that embryo is currently in discussion on Gaia. Comprising the populace of our anguished paradise are two predominant ethno-cultural communities, the “progressives” and the “recalcitrants”. The progressives see nothing wrong with the destruction of the embryo because according to reason the resulting promise of fulfilled paradise outweigh any “moral” considerations the recalcitrants bring. The recalcitrants disagree over the cost of fulfillment and argue that the life (or potential life) of the embryo outweighs any “utility” considerations the progressive brings. The progressives are derisive in their condemnation of the moralists, and the recalcitrants are dismissive in their contempt of the utilitarianists. Now, if you have been following along so far, and you are familiar with our nation’s current debate on embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) you may be asking, “How is this any different from our world, apart from Gaia’s common cold being cured? One fact changes the assumed analogous positions of the participants in the debate: The requisite embryos destined for destruction are Ailuropoda Melanoleuca; commonly known as the Chinese Giant Panda.
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Tags: Embryos, Science by Thomas Moller
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