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The theories of modern science seem to be validated by
their practical success. But if one scrutinizes them
closely, one will see that this is not the case. Scientific
theory is revised at frequent intervals; such revisions
render the previously accepted theory ineffective.
Ultimately, scientific theory is seen to be convention, a
social agreement.
The practical successes which seem to validate
scientific theory flow not, in fact, from science, but from
technology. Technology is admittedly and obviously a social
endeavor. It validates not the knowledge of science, but
the plans and programs which it executes; and these are
valid not because they reflect a transcendental truth, but
because they work.
Scientific investigations create openings,
opportunities for technology. But the technology which
develops from scientific invesitgations makes the
conclusions drawn from them valid only in a limited sense,
if at all.
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