The Morning Breaks

Dear Naturopathic Friends,

Scientific Method

The development and elaboration of rules for scientific reasoning and investigation has not been straightforward; scientific method has been the subject of intense and recurring debate throughout the history of science, and many eminent natural philosophers and scientists have argued for the primacy of one or another approach to establishing scientific knowledge.

"Truth is sought for its own sake. And those who are engaged upon the quest for anything for its own sake are not interested in other things. Finding the truth is difficult, and the road to it is rough...

Attempts to systematize a scientific method were confronted in the mid-18th century by the problem of induction, a positivist logic formulation which, in short, asserts that nothing can be known with certainty except what is actually observed.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_scientific_method

Anecdotal Evidence

The term is often used in contrast to scientific evidence, such as evidence-based medicine, which are types of formal accounts. Some anecdotal evidence does not qualify as scientific evidence because its nature prevents it from being investigated using the scientific method.

In science, definitions of anecdotal evidence include:

"information that is not based on facts or careful study"
"reports or observations of usually unscientific observers"
"casual observations or indications rather than rigorous or scientific analysis"
"information passed along by word-of-mouth but not documented scientifically"

Anecdotal evidence can have varying degrees of formality. For instance, in medicine, published anecdotal evidence by a trained observer (a doctor) is called a case report, and is subjected to formal peer review. Although such evidence is not seen as conclusive, it is sometimes regarded as an invitation to more rigorous scientific study of the phenomenon in question. For instance, one study found that 35 of 47 anecdotal reports of drug side effects were later sustained as "clearly correct."

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anecdotal_evidence

A fallacy is the use of poor, or invalid reasoning for the construction of an argument. The scientific method assumes that all things must be observed to be proven.

The fallacy of the scientific method rests on the mistaken assumption that all things can be measured and observed. An additional fallacy is that only trained observers (a doctor) can discover truth. The history of scientific discovery demonstrates that truth and new knowledge is often acquired by inspiration and that by people who are not formally trained in the scientific method. Finally, the scientific method assumes that the human mind is capable of comprehending all things. It just isn't so.

Testimony

Christians in general use the term "testify" or "to give one's testimony" to mean "the story of how one became a Christian"; And commonly it may refer to a specific event in a Christian's life in which they believe God has done something deemed particularly worth sharing. Christians often give their testimony at their own baptism or at evangelistic events. In the current age of the Internet, many Christians have also placed their testimonies on the internet. (As evidence of their conversion to or understanding of new and higher knowledge)

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testimony

This kind of religious experience is not permissible under the scientific method. Yet it is true and at the last day we shall see that the Christian was correct to put trust in something not seen or measurable but true.

Anecdotal Evidence of the Benefit of Herbs

Psalms 104:14

14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;

Genesis 1:29

29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

The internet has opened the world to new knowledge. We have the observations and testimonies of thousands of people who have benefited from herbs.

Matthew 18:16

16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

Conclusion

While not a complete or thorough analysis, the idea that truth and knowledge can only be acquired through the use of the scientific method presents some serious shortcomings. Current medical science by their own admission has no idea how human digestion, the nervous system or human mind really work yet they do work and wonderfully. Perhaps there is a source of organization, knowledge, truth and love which surpasses the capabilities of the human mind. With our own observations we can see that the scientific man does not comprehend the smallest part of the creations of God. Finally, the observation and experience of people who have benefited from the healing power of naturopathic methods is a source of valid evidence supporting the efficacy of natural cures.

Here is another good example of what is beyond the comprehension of the human mind:




If you can improve on these ideas, please do.

Take care, Fortunateson

A few more shots because I was limited to three on my last post





Let me know if you would like to see this in greater detail.

Fortunateson