the problems of 'straw men' and subsequent dialogue of the deaf are so
strong a tendency I think in human nature when we are challenged close to
our more firmly held beliefs

rising above this tendency sometimes requires more than intellectual
capability or integrity

i agree the inclusive approach (after pause for reflection) is the more
productive response

that is part of science's strength - it remains ever open to include more
evidence - and if it struggles to include it we have the subsequent paradigm
shift (though with a lot of heated banter - thesis/antithesis synthesis etc)

Midgley in most of her writings has been very sharp in pricking the balloons
of either camp over many unproductively polarised issues

Where we start arguing the meaning (and the consequences - sometimes subtle
- of their use) of terms like 'reductionism' or 'positivism' or the more
problematic 'post-modernism' Midgley's work has been quite helpful

perhaps the terms 'complexity' and 'chaos' themselves have a rather deeply
unnerving effect on people in certain circumstances!

lurker who has not had time to previously contribute and sometimes struggles
to keep up with some of the longer contributions

Richard





Dr Richard G Evans  MA MRCGP
Clinical Research Fellow
Primary Care Group
School of Medicine
University of Wales Swansea
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Swansea
SA2 8PP
http://www.medicine.swan.ac.uk/
www.swamsea.ac.uk

T: 0044 (0) 1792 513489 Gwennan Thomas
T: 0044 (0) 1792 898815 Ty'r Felin Surgery
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>
> >Chris Burton Wrote:
> >Far more worthwhile is James Willis' demolition of (sorry "commentary
>on")
>the piece. Tactful, informative, inclusive - nice one James.
>....
> >(1) Not trying to be exclusive there - its just the BJGP is a complete
>bugger to access online
>
>Dear Chris, and others,
>My computer recovered against all the odds from a near-death experience
>yesterday and it made my day to find your contribution to this forum of
>dauntingly erudite and clever people and the interesting discussion it has
>provoked.
>You are quite right that the BJGP is ... er, daunting ... to access on line
>and I hope it will not be thought out of place that I have stuck the piece
>of mine that you refer to on an un-indexed page of my website so that it
>can
>be accessed simply by clicking this link
>http://www.friendsinlowplaces.co.uk/straw_wars.htm . It's just that I
>really
>am a nauseating self-publicist. Obviously, but sadly, I can't do the same
>for the article to which it formed the second commentary (although I am
>very
>tempted...)
>James