When we are involved in a scientific dispute the first thing to do is to recognise that it exists. MPP, Ixer and Bevins seem to have a problem with that, since they have never admitted that any of their ideas are disputed or that their evidence is challenged, and have systematically, as a matter of policy, refused to cite any inconvenient peer-reviewed articles that have a bearing on the story that they have cobbled together. That is a matter of regret as well as being an obvious sign of weakness.
On this blog we have discussed quite often things like the scientific method, Occam'r Razor, Hitchens's Razor and the ruling hypotheses.
Here are some more things which we should all bear in mind as the debate rolls on......
3 comments:
"Crazy little thing called....Logic". A song NOT by Queen.
Not sure about this Brian.
Seems to me that the narratives promoted by the "archaeologist" lobby (unification, ancestors, lost Stonehenge circle etc) is separate from that of any contributing professions. It's a bit unfair to lump Ixer and Bevins in with that.
I know it is difficult for the geologists. But you make your bed and you then have to lie in it. They have chosen to get into bed with a group of archaeologists who seem to have little or no respect for the scientific method. Remember that the geologists are listed as co-authors in one paper after another relating to so-called quarries, lost circles, overland stone humping expeditions and so forth -- and corporate responsibility applies. If you are listed as a co-author in an academic paper it demonstrates that you are fully signed up to its conclusions, its speculations and its fantasies. If Messrs I and B had had any sense, they would have stuck to geology!
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