[lbo-talk] East Coast Climate War

[Wojtek S]

I don't think it is a fair argument either. Diamond uses comparative method
to show a connection, and every comparative method is by definition
selective. Researchers select cases based on their relationship to the
hypothesis cf. Mills methods, which by implication leaves all other cases
out. This method shows a connection but it doesn't show it's the only
connection possible. Claiming that it is and then showing that it is not is
unfair criticism, similar to creationist critique that evolution is only a
hypothesis and not certainty. No science is certainty or for that matter
explains everything, only theology and economics purport they do.

I don't think there is anything in Diamond that suggests it's a whole and a
complete story. It's a partial explanation of some situations. But it's not
an exclusive explanation and it may not even apply to other situations.
It's not different than any other scientific explanation.

Wojtek
Sent from my Droid
On Oct 31, 2012 4:19 PM, "Dennis Claxton" <ddclaxton at earthlink.net> wrote:


>
>
>
> >Dennis C: 'by Louis Proyect"
> >
> >[WS:] Enough said.
>
>
> At least he reads people he doesn't agree with.  Your response sounds like
> this criticism of Diamond, via Brad DeLong, who I assume you find more
> acceptable.
>
> http://delong.typepad.com/sdj/2005/07/tim_burke_criti.html
>
> >Diamond has a tendency to exclude--not even mention or argue against, but
> simply bypass--deeply seated causal arguments and evidence that don't fit
> his thesis.
>
>
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