| A Few Scientific Principles That Every Researcher Should Know Randy Robertson, c. 2007 Cartesian Conceivability-Possibility Argument This axiom is the foundation for all modern scientific endeavors, and justifies all paranormal research. Descartes went on for several volumes detailing the logic behind it, but a summary is this; "If a thing is conceivable, then it is possible. If it is possible, then it is probable." Many have shown mathematically and theoretically that this principle is false, but it has always been proven true in real-world application. Ockham's Razor William Ockham didn't invent this principle, but his is the oldest known version of it. Originally, the principle was, "entities should not be multiplied beyond necessity." In modern form, this is often said as "All things being equal, the simplest solution is usually the right one." Of course, we know very well that all things are rarely equal, but the idea is still a good one and has much value. Perhaps Thomas Aquinas said it clearer when he wrote, "If a thing can be done adequately by means of one, it is superfluous to do it by means of several; for we observe that nature does not employ two instruments where one suffices." Law of Energy Conservation Simply stated, energy cannot be created or destroyed. The total amount of energy in any closed system remains constant but can't be recreated, although it may change forms. For example, friction turns kinetic energy into thermal energy. It also means that energy lost cannot be greater than the amount of energy gained, and that you cannot get more energy out of a system than you put into it. This is almost identical to the First Law of Thermodynamics, which states that, in any process, the total energy of the universe remains at large. Pareto Principle Also known as the 80-20 rule, it states that 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes in most events. It is a common observation in business that "80% of sales comes from 20% of clients." Pareto noticed that 80% of Italy's wealth was owned by 20% of the population. Surveys in other countries revealed the same distribution. This also applies to other matters: we wear our 20% most favored clothes about 80% of the time, we spend 80% of the time with 20% of our acquaintances, etc. Dramatic improvements can often be achieved by identifying the 20% of customers, activities, products or processes that account for the 80% of the profits and giving far more attention to them. This also limits the risks since it limits the scenarios involving risk. Perhaps by coincidence, it has been observed over years of research that approximately 80% of suspected hauntings can be attributed to perfectly mundane causes. Clarke's Four Laws of Prediction * 1. When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong. * 2. The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible. * 3. Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. * 4. For every expert there is an equal and opposite expert. Other Laws that should be kept in mind These are more of axioms than principles, but they have proven to be true time after time. Edwards' law "You cannot apply a technological solution to a sociological problem." Sherlock Holmes' Law "Eliminate the impossible and whatever remains, no matter how unlikely, must be true." Mister Spock's Law "Logic is not the end of wisdom, only the beginning." There is a database with many, many laws of science and nature listed at http://www.alcyone.com/max/physics/laws/ |