WOTM: Extraordinary Claims, Part III
As part of Bill's discussion with Alex regarding "The Sagan Standard" — that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, Bill decided to give us another example, this time, one that does double duty. It attempts to show how ordinary evidence can justify an extraordinary claim (that fails miserably again), and also attempts to demonstrate how pragmatic justification can encroach on epidemic justification, thereby giving Bill cover for the comments he made last year about lowering the epistemic bar for Christianity. Which led to him being dubbed (by yours truly) "Low Bar Bill." This too fails, and for a very funny reason. Well... it would be funny if it weren't so sad.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. Part IV is on the way. Enjoy this one first though. B
Comments (10)
But even if we grant that the small chance of a cancer cure is analogous to the small chance of a god cure, are we not then required to expand the analogy to the point where we would need to take thousands of dubious cancer cures just as we would need to subscribe to thousands of gods? Each god with their own cure?
I hope I am understanding properly that Bill's analogy and Brian's debunking of it address the healing power of a cancer cure versus the healing power of a god cure. I think the analogy breaks down even more quickly than that. We actually know that cancer exists. Whereas for gods...
I am not sure that there really is good evidence that positive thinking extends the lives of cancer patients. It might make them less depressed while they live out whatever time is left. In any case this is really beside the point of your video.
Love the reference to compassionate conservatism as a myth.
We should not deal with this insane old man any longer. He is like that toothless old lunatic in ancient tribes, lingering close to the fireplace hoping to get some crumbs.
LLOL!!!
Hey Bill... living a lie isn't living.
What a great and pithy comment! I’m stealing that!!!
Extraordinarily stupid claim?
I think Billy needs to hear Tim Minchin's experience about someone's mom whose cataracts disappeared thanks to her congregation's prayers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZeWPScnolo