Ben Mandelker: Topic 7: Are There Limits to Science?

     It is hard to say whether or not there are 
limits to science.  I don't think it is something 
that I thought of much before this group's 
presentation.  I still don't know where I stand, but 
I think that I am inclined to believe that in fact 
there isn't a limit.  It seems like there is so much 
to discover, research, and explain, that I would be 
astounded if every single mystery could ever be 
solved, and if it were solved, I wouldn't be 
surprised if new mysteries would arise.

However, the issue shouldn't be whether or not there 
is a limit.  The question is why do we care if there 
is a limit?  What do we value about absolute knowing?  
These are some of the questions that I felt were 
unanswered and unapproached by Group 7.  Instead I 
found myself lost by a lecture about the objectivity 
and subjectivity and the contextual analysis of 
science, I think.

It would have been very interesting had the ideals of 
completeness and limits been explored.  A nice tie in 
would have been to discuss the images of the future 
seen now and in the past.

I also would have liked to have heard more about why 
the concept of an "end" seems so intimidating, scary, 
and even sad.  When we worry about the end of 
science, are we worrying for science's sake, or for 
the loss of an incredible human venture?  I honestly 
don't know.  Nevertheless, the limits of science 
raise interesting questions and will probably 
continue to raise questions in the years ahead.