grappling with truth

Ok, so I’m totally caught up in the fun but unsatisfactory discussion we had yesterday about the question of truth in terms of the science vs. art divide.

I understand the argument that the scientist aims not to make a claim of truth, but rather, is making a thesis that aims to explain as best as possible a set of observations. This thesis in turn is subject to a counter thesis that in fruition forms a new thesis, and so on. As Marko said in class this new thesis is “better” (I suppose because it is successful not only on its own but also in encompassing the thesis that precedes it).

Here is where it gets complicated for me. If, and again I’ll quote Marko, the new thesis is “better” then is it not in that regard higher on the linear continued of knowledge? Is it not more truthful? Even if ‘the scientist’ is ultimately reluctant to say that the ‘heavens’ are attainable, that is that absolute truth is the goal, don’t these types of pursuits still necessitate the notion of there being a truth? The fact that scientists do not make statements of truth does mean that their work operates independent of a belief in it –celestial as it may be. [Perhaps this is where I need Jonathan M to compose a visual diagram]. So, am I disagreeing, enforcing or just completely missing your point Marko?

As someone who’s background is in sociology, I am not simply interested in vilifying the natural sciences; In terms of ‘the social sciences’ the notion of progress is crucial. Last night Judith Butler gave a public lecture and said that having a critical stance towards the notion of progress does not mean that you deny that some types of progress exists or even that some types of progress are good. Can we deny the benefits to human health that have come from scientific discoveries (or is that scientific theses??) or, for that matter, the benefits that come from the intellectual struggles for human liberties? [Wow, those questions are cliché!].

In anticipation of our final class in which we are meant to produce something, this is what I’m thinking about when contemplating the idea of trying to contribute to a meaningful conclusion to the class.

I’ll give the last words to Judith Butler who brought her essay to a close by quoting Nietzsche who quipped in The Will to Power “'Mankind' does not advance, it does not even exist."