"Weltanschauung" is a German word used to describe one's "world-view", but its meaning is broader, including one's philosophical view of the fuller dimensions to life, be they physical, meta-physical, spiritual etc. As such "world" view is too limiting. Hence the use of Weltanschauung

Covid-19, herd immunity and common sense

By Stephen on Thu, 25/Jun/2020 - 11:07am

There has been a LOT of talk in the media, various forums, twitter, etc, about "herd immunity" in regards to the corona virus pandemic.

The idea, basically, is that if enough people catch and subsequently become immune to the virus, the virus will "look around" for new hosts within the population, as some have suggested, and finding none available, recede and eventually die out.

That "looking around" suggests viruses are alive, seeking to reproduce like bacteria and fungi.

Scientists know that viruses aren't "alive" in a strict biological sense—they don't have active intelligence that "looks around", or reproduce themselves independently like bacteria. As Dr Kevin Stillwagon explains:

"A virus is not even a living thing. It's just a package of genetic material inside of a shell that's made of proteins and fats. It's not alive, it has no intelligence, nor the desire to attack you."

Analysis of herd immunity using the Sorites Paradox

By Stephen on Sat, 05/Nov/2016 - 5:40pm

[See supplemental article Covid-19, herd immunity and common sense]

TL;DR (Summary)

  • The concept of "Herd immunity" fails elementary rational analysis.
  • A "herd" cannot be scientifically defined. A "herd" remains an irreducibly vague concept.
  • Ipso facto, "herd immunity" is not an identifiable, measurably-valid phenomena.
  • Population percentage deaths and illnesses correlate with psycho-social-enviro factors, not with vague, made-up marketing terms.

When the subject of vaccination1 is discussed within a group (e.g. online forum), and there are some within that group who are pro-vaccination, almost invariably they will at some point raise the issue of herd immunity.

First let's clarify what is meant by "herd immunity".

  • 1. For the purposes of this article "vaccination" is used in the ideal case whereby each vaccination creates immunity. This equivalence is deliberate in order to avoid distractive arguments that are not relevant to the analysis of "herd immunity" using the Sorites Paradox.

Good systems thinking

By Stephen on Sun, 10/Jul/2011 - 1:28am

I often hear of, or run across people who espouse all sorts of ... well, quite frankly, incoherent, contradictory ideas and beliefs.

Here's a few ideas that might reset standard thinking.

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What's wrong with science, religion & new-age?

By Stephen on Mon, 12/Oct/2009 - 6:57pm

In the midst of the 'swine-flu' scare a while back it struck me ... how science, religion and various new-age philosophies are very similar.

The swine-flu scare has gained considerable media coverage, despite 30+ years of research confirming that physical things (bugs, bad genes, obesity, bad diet) account for a minority of the cause of disease, disability and premature death. We now know it is poor 'psycho-social eco-systems' that are the majority cause of early death and illness. But still the panic, or at least the media hype.

Regarding the after-life

By Stephen on Tue, 14/Apr/2009 - 4:13pm

In my book "Awkward Truths: Beyond the Dogmas of Science, Religion and New-Age Philosophies" (2004), I explained the somewhat unfortunate consequences of believing in an ideal, perfect Heaven, or a perfect spiritual existence.

It seems prudent to share some of those consequences, given current world circumstances and that many still idealize the after-life or various spiritual states (e.g. enlightenment).