Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id QAA19642 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Tue, 2 Apr 2002 16:47:04 +0100 X-Originating-IP: [137.110.248.206] From: "Grant Callaghan" <grantc4@hotmail.com> To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Subject: Re: To be or not to be: memetics a science? Date: Tue, 02 Apr 2002 07:29:53 -0800 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Message-ID: <LAW2-F108HNKQ1Ua72u0001954d@hotmail.com> X-OriginalArrivalTime: 02 Apr 2002 15:29:53.0941 (UTC) FILETIME=[3CC38450:01C1DA5B] Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>
>Boy are we quiet out there or what? Here's an issue for you guys to ponder
>about
>and hopefully to revive the list a little.
>
>Is memetics a science? That is: a systematic study about the structure and
>behavior of the physical
>world consisting of theory as well as experiment. If not (yet), does it has
>what it takes to
>ever become one? Or are the variables involved too complex to be isolated
>for experimental
>study and will it thus remain a theory without the possibility of testing
>the things it predicts and implies?
>
>Your opinions of whatever kind are gladly appreciated. So: What Say You?
>
>Phil.
I don't think anyone has yet figured out what the memetic point of view has
to offer that the other social sciences do not. Does it really change our
view of history or sociology or anthropology? Does it help us predict human
behavior any better than psychology or neurology? What does it give us that
promises to make it more useful?
So far, I just find it an interesting viewpoint. I think it gives me a
non-Chomskian way of looking at language, for example. But I don't think
what it gives me is any more important or even as important as what
Chomsky's view has contributed to the study of language. It helps me look
at language complexity rather than being limited to Chomsky's reductionist
view. But Chomsky's work is making it possible for computers to understand
and process written and spoken language. So far, my view just makes me feel
better.
Grant
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