QUOTE(Herschelkrustofsky @ Sat 24th July 2010, 3:59am)
QUOTE(anthony @ Fri 23rd July 2010, 11:52am)
QUOTE
Unfortunately, correlation has never and can never prove causation – the only way to establish causation with regards to global warming would be to take a few identical planets, alter their CO² levels and then measure the effects. This is clearly beyond our current means and since such a scientific experiment is not possible, the AGW hypothesis cannot be disproved which makes it completely at odds with the scientific method.
So, by that argument, is evolution also "completely at odds with the scientific method"?
You lost me there. What the Good Locust is saying here is correct.
So, you agree that the *only* way to establish causation with regards to global warming "would be to take a few identical planets, alter their CO² levels and then measure the effects"?
If so, (IMG:
smilys0b23ax56/default/shrug.gif), I've got nothing more to say to you about it. (*) I'd still appreciate the Good Locust's answer though, because from what I've read from him so far this seems to be an uncharacteristic error.
(*) I take that back. I'll pose this question to anyone who wants to defend that statement. How do you show that evolution caused humans to arrive on earth? Build a bunch of planets, throw in a bunch of bacteria, wait a few billion years, and watch humans spring up?
Now look, I haven't researched the topic enough to be completely convinced one way or the other (as it's just not a topic which is all that relevant to my life). But from what I have read, anthropogenic global warming is the most plausible theory for what is happening (and whether or not anything is happening). I certainly wouldn't take the position that the Good Locust is taking, that I absolutely won't be convinced no matter *what* evidence is presented to me (that's essentially what he's saying).
Furthermore, I don't think it particularly matters whether or not global warming is caused by humans, because all the evidence I've seen is that it would be far too costly to stop it and much more reasonable to deal with it. I'd rather my grandchildren live close to the beach in air conditioning, than in the stone ages. (Which, I hope needless to say, means I don't buy into the "runaway global warming" scare mongering and
Environmental Pascal's Wager.)
This post has been edited by anthony: