Michael Beckerman: Topic 7: Are There Limits to Science?

	Group seven presented a very intriguing question; 
are there limits of science and if so, what are these 
limits?  Other question that can also be asked 
include whether or not there is a limited or 
unlimited amount of knowledge.  Furthermore, are 
there scientific truths present in the universe which 
humans are not possible of comprehending?  These 
question are all unanswerable but a good discussion 
can result from them.
	The idea that science can explain certain things 
and not others is sound.  We can all certainly 
understand that science has allowed us to view and 
understand many things, such as the red blood cell.  
Furthermore, science has also been able to explain, 
and continues to explain, many aspects of the natural 
sciences.  While all this may be good, I do not think 
science will be able to explain everything or even 
close to everything.  This is in direct opposition to 
Harwit's view, presented by the group.  According to 
Harwit, in a few hundred years, there will not be 
much left to learn as humans will have learned 
roughly ninety percent of everything.  For someone to 
make such a bold statement, you have to be either 
confident beyond belief with supporting evidence, or 
a little wacko.  I believe Harwit followed this 
second possibility.  One  reason I say this is 
because if you manage to answer one question, you are 
also going to manage to bring into view several 
question not yet asked.  
	The idea of human perspectives and the limits of 
science is very important.  Two good examples are 
with the cube and the müller-lyer lines.  When we 
cannot even explain something so simple, it becomes 
questionable whether or not we will be able to 
explain everything.  
	On another note, I did not enjoy this 
presentation all that much.  I feel that certain 
members of the group spoke for too long a period 
while others were forced to rush through their 
segments.  I was also disappointed that the class was 
not able to enter into a discussion or debate on the 
issue.  I understand that this group was at a 
disadvantage due to the shortened amount of time 
allotted them, but I would have hoped that an entire 
term of planning could have produced something 
better.