Hi Everybody,

> I'd like to start collecting concrete examples of ways in which
> we live differently because we know specific things about the
> world - things learned through science. In other words, what are
> some concepts or pieces of knowledge for which you would say, "I
> make different choices, act differently because I know ---- ."

I like the medical examples from Sara & Amanda about nutrition & sanitation.

Various scientific concepts have had impacts on how we think of minds & brains: telephone switchboards, computers (I think there are other examples previous to computers but I don't recall them). Whether or not these are correct analogies for the mind is another question, but they've definitely been influential.

Both sides of the abortion debate use science in part to justify their ideas: on the one hand after conception we have a genetically unique human being, on the other hand shortly after conception we have only a collection of cells which cannot feel pain, doesn't have a brain, and in other qualitative ways is unlike a baby. There are other scientific arguments for both sides which we've probably all heard, as well as of course other arguments for both sides.

It's interesting to me as I sit here trying to think of examples, just how many intriguing scientific concepts I can come up with, that DON'T seem to have an influence. For example: the idea of atoms. At best, atoms are linked to atomic energy which is linked to radiation & cancer, which are reasons people fear atomic bombs and nuclear power plants. But is the idea of atoms itself causing people to live differently? Seems to me the impact is more on science than on living.
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My one comment about the evolution debate & Brady's comments regarding bloodbaths: my opinion is that humans can and do use anything they can devise as excuses for bloodbaths & oppression, including both science & religion. In fact, I'm sure somehow someday someone will be clever enough to use the idea of atoms as a way to justify some sort of reprehensible behavior... Well, I'm not really that cynical! But I see the theory of evolution as values-neutral, and then uses of it such as "social Darwinism" tend to ignore the relevant "non-scientific" but equally important ethical & philosophical considerations. Likewise religion is generally a positive ethical outlook but has at times been used to justify pretty reprehensible actions; for example the recent discussions of the past problems of the Catholic Church.

Thus, I agree with Todd that picking on evolution because some people have previously mis-used it to justify bad behavior is unfair grounds for criticizing it. People misuse lots of ideas.

--Eric