I count myself among those who lack knowledge about human biology and epidemiology. I know little about it, and I know only slightly more about statistical analysis of large scale data.
I share this deficiency with many. Yet that has not stopped some from making conclusive judgments about both human viruses and the emerging data surrounding the virus.
Nevertheless, it is not good to cite data without rightly interpreting it *AND* using that data for some good end (informing, helping, etc.).
We sometimes cite data for political ends which in themselves are often not good. We often cite data to agree with our position without understanding it.
Both of the above actions lack wisdom. To be clear, it is not wrong to use evidence for a political end; nor is it wrong to cite evidence for your position.
I am specifically talking about using evidence/data for a purely political end regardless of the nuance or meaning of that data. I am also talking about citing bad interpretations of data like the CDC data which “proves” that only 6 percent of people died for COVID-19 who were reported to have died from it.
Most of us (myself included) lack the requisite ability and expertise in statistical analysis to interpret such data; we also do not have the epidemiological expertise to make sound judgments based on the data; we also often lack the formal reasoning ability to infer conclusions based on data.
I do not mean we cannot make any judgments. I do mean that we need to upgrade our knowledge on (1) statistics, (2) epidemiology (which includes knowing our limits), and (3) formal logic.
Items 1 and 3 are much easier to gain. Item 2 is much harder. I suspect it’s possible to know enough, however, to understand rightly what experts say. Almost none of us can at this moment.
We need to listen to Solomon: “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.”
So let’s start. And while we gain it, let’s be quick to listen and slow to speak on these matters.
Fair enough, Wyatt — There is just so much knowledge we can absorb in a very limited lifetime. Some scientists know very little about God, some can speak intelligiently about God even if they had limited theological education — in which case they may lack the core of biblical theology.
The aquisition of scientific knowledge has its place to be sure but a limited amount can also be vital — basic nutrition can go a long way through plagues. I have an aunt who turned 100 years old last Apirl — reviewing her place of birth, lifestyle and diet explains a lot. The modern generation of people on earth eat very poorly compared to past generations, for sure, dur to poor depleted soil quality, rtoxic additives etc.
I know for example, that what we eat as approved by the FDA is less that ideal, to say the least, and toxic. The trillion-dollar pharmaceutical industry is scientifically developed but between needless surgeries and being stuffed with pharmaceuticals we are drug dependent on a proliferation of pharmaceuticals — progressively, science has not had our best interests in mind in this world.
The tabacco industry for example knows very well that applying ammonia to the processing of tobacco is what makes us terribly addicted to tobacco…and it, of course, is deliberate. So, yes it is very useful to understand more science but how much of us who have chosen other professions, can we learn? We can learn enough to protect ourselves from the rulers of this world. Yet we will come and go to eternity and that is all that will matter.
Recently, there was an article about Bill Gates’ anger with Dr. Joseph Mercola, because of his nutritional recommendations (for the virus and everything else) seem to work on the Virus, enough so to get Gates’ attention. He is one of the forerunners of the nutritional approach and can speak as technically as your average scientist.
“Bill Gates and Co. Desperate to Destroy Mercola.com. READ MORE…”
“12 Ways the Government Will Try to Bend Your Will This Fall”, READ MORE, and so on.
Nevertheless, one can gain considerable knowledge by inculcating good habits and avoiding naivete by knowing the rudiments of nutrition.