Nambo wrote:
What do you think of an Electrical Universe theory for the geologically unexplainable formations on planetary bodies?
Purely speculative. Nothing more. There are no "unexplainable" geological formations.
It all started with the wild imaginings of the late
Immanuel Velikovsky (1895 to 1979), whose profession was that of
psychiatry ...
Quote:
What Velikovsky does isn't science because he does not start with what is known and then use ancient myths to illustrate or illuminate what has been discovered. Instead, he is indifferent to the established beliefs of astronomers and physicists, and seems to assume that someday they will find the evidence to support his ideas. He seems to take it for granted that the claims of ancient myths should be used to support or challenge the claims of modern astronomy and cosmology. In short, like the creationists in their arguments against evolution, he starts with the assumption that the Bible is a foundation and guide for scientific truth ... Velikovsky has faith in all ancient myths, legends, and folk tales. Because of his uncritical and selective acceptance of ancient myths, he cannot be said to be doing history, either. Where myths can be favorably interpreted to fit his hypothesis, he does not fail to cite them. The contradictions of ancient myths regarding the origin of the cosmos, the people, etc. are trivialized. If a myth fits his hypotheses, he accepts it and interprets it to his liking. Where the myth doesn't fit, he ignores it. In short, he seems to make no distinction between myth, legends, and history. Myths may have to be interpreted but Velikovsky treats them as presenting historical facts...
Velikovsky was not an astronomer, engineer, or physicist, therefore his alleged "theories" can not be said to be scientific, and are better described as myths. Believing in myths allows the comfort of having an opinion without the discomfort of actually having to
think.
30 Mar 2013, 7:00 pm
