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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 Grove Building Singleton Park 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 E: [log in to unmask] Mob: 07989 350 559 > > >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