What is the measure of our uncertainty?

or the

Veracity of our doubts in the understanding of the cosmos?



Mechanistic worldview
 

 

we either believe it or not 

Machinery of nature: in that the material world is functional, operates sequentially, requires fuel and produces waste.

Evolving organic complexity of nature means the material world is becoming something novel all the time.

        Revolutions in what we know

statistically discernable patterns (we separate from background noise?)

quantity, quality, timing and dispersal of essential materials comprise the functioning world

stochastically probable events are contingent on what preceded current life on earth

the universe appears to be more enormous than we can imagine it

light, electromagnetic radiation accounts for the speed limit governing the velocity of light, 186,000 mps (Earth is only 25,000 miles around.)


Body of Knowledge
 
Rational and empirical knowledge of the solar system reveals the Earth moves around the sun.

That some diseases are caused by unseen microbes that live within larger organisms and we get from animals.

Just knowing the cause of a disease does not create effective therapy leading to the erradication of the affliction.

The most productive natural areas are among the least understood and least beautiful features of the planet.


What we do with what we know.

Steam engines & refrigeration    (1700s)

Electricity and magnetism        (1870s)

Weak and Strong nuclear powers        (1935-1945)

Radiation, x-rays and diagnostic precision    (1898-1920)

Mechanical transport        (1905-16)

Electronics         (1940s-1960s)

Code encryption        (1939-now)

Digital information storage        (1940s-1970s)

Telecom          ( 1870-1930s )

Arms        (1500-2000)



 
Conclusions
Machinery reinforces our reliance on labor saving devices and automatic responses; thus making instruments important sources of knowledge about the world.

Means of knowing what we can about the world have changed enormously in a short time of several generations. The world is way ahead of us in its developmental adaptive capacity.

Science as useful, enriching and preventive means to know and manage the world,  or at least managing our own needs for the world.

Mathematics has far more vigorous set of proofs to use to assure the solutions to problems.

Geology, biology, chemistry and physics have all undergone "revolutions" since 1500.

 


 
 
 Evidence