How Do We Know What We Know?
Here is a little satire piece that has been tumbling around my mind, enjoy!
Dr. Augustus Frost,
It was a pleasure meeting you this summer at Grant Grove Village in front of the most magnificent of the giant Sequoia trees, General Sherman. If possible, I would like to continue our discussion about science and how we know things by way of email correspondence. If you recall, our conversation was interrupted by the park ranger’s announcement just as you finished explaining how something can be known if and only if that thing is scientifically testable. I believe the sum of your point was that only scientific knowledge is possible. I was just about to ask a few follow-up questions when you were drawn away to attended to those urgent matters made known by the ranger. Upon gathering my thoughts, I thought it best to email my three questions. I would enjoy hearing your responses, insight and expertise concerning science and how we know things to be true.
My first question is a rather basic one, but I do think it is of importance. Do you think that we can know something by way of math? What I mean by this Dr. Frost is, do you believe we can gain knowledge by engaging in the study of mathematics? It seems as though one can gain knowledge about the world and how it operates through mathematics whether it be simple addition, algebra or geometry. For example, if my friend Joe had two lemons in his hand and picked up two more lemons, would he not have four lemons in his hand? I think you and I both would be in agreement that he would in fact have four lemons in his hand. How did we come to this knowledge? Was it by way of scientific testing? I think not. We came to this knowledge because mathematical knowledge is self-evident, it is a necessary knowledge. It seems as though we can know mathematical truths without scientifically testing. Are you in agreement?
Secondly, I do ask respectfully, do you think that we can know something by way of logic? Do you recall that silly little deductive argument, all humans are mortal, Socrates is human, therefore Socrates is mortal? With deductive arguments, if the premises are true, then the conclusion that follows must be true. In our example, the two premises (1) All humans are mortal and (2) Socrates is human, are in fact true. Then it must follow that the conclusion is true – Socrates is moral, and it is! Did we come to know this by scientific testing? I think not. We came to know this by the logic of deductive reasoning.
Thirdly, do you think that scientific testing can tell us what actions are right and wrong? What I mean by this is, can science give us morals to live by? Can science tell us if it’s OK to steal? Or if it’s OK to torture babies for fun? Or how much kindness to give to someone? Or even what mercy looks like? I hope both you and I agree that torturing babies for fun is wrong, but how did we come to that conclusion? It was not by way of scientific study. It seems as though there must be some other way of knowing what is right and wrong. Would you agree with this conclusion?
Dr. Frost, it seems likely that we can in fact know real things outside of scientistic knowledge. We see that mathematics provides us with self-evident truths about how the world operates. Also, we see that logic provides a way of knowing things apart for the senses. Lastly it seems obvious that science cannot give us morals to live by. My questions have suggested that we do in fact know real things outside the scope of science knowledge and study, do you agree with my conclusions? I would love to hear your responses to these three questions. Oh, and one last note, it seems that I have overlooked the validity of your initial statement. If you recall, you said that something can be known if and only if that thing is scientifically testable. Upon reflection, this very statement seems self-refuting, for we are unable to test this statement scientifically. If your statement is in fact true, how do you suggest I go about testing it? I look forward to hearing your reply.
Cordially,
Gadfly Albanese