Atheism Is Not Scientific

According to the dictionary, atheism is "the doctrine or belief that there is no God.” My own experience with atheists leads me to believe that they are 100% sure that there is no kind of Divine Being. They seem to use science as a means to explain why he they are sure there is no God. The irony is in science nothing is for sure.

Science is wonderful – it’s a “systematic knowledge of the physical or material world gained through observation and experimentation” (again, from the dictionary). Science has allowed us to understand much about biology, physics, chemistry, and so on. Science allows us to form theories as to how one why things happen.

But there are some things science can't explain. Basic fundamental questions are beyond the scope of science, such as "why are we here?" and “how did we get here?". These can only be answered through philosophy and religion. As far as science is concerned, these are invalid questions. Sure, scientists can come up with theories about how the universe started -- the Big Bang, multiple dimensions, string theory, multiple universes -- but even the most sophisticated theory falls short of explaining who or what started all.

Since there is no way to prove scientifically who or what started our existence, then there is an equally likely chance, as far science is concerned, that there is or is not a God or Divine Being. This is indicated by the middle bar on the graph. As a requirement, those who subscribe to monotheistic religions such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, must believe as fact that there is a God. This extra element that boosts a religious person beyond the 50-50 mark of science is known as faith.

An atheist not only rejects faith, but also fails to scientifically prove that there is no God. It's almost as if they had some kind of anti-faith that makes them so strongly believe that there is no God. From the atheists I have met who wholeheartedly reject the idea of a God, it seems that there is some underlying reason for it. Some seem to be frustrated with organized religion. Others seem to have had some sort of loss in the family or some other tragedy in their life that lead them to believe that "if there was a God, He wouldn’t let this happen.” For them, it seems, atheism is emotional and personal. It is ironic how they use science to rationalize their feelings.

There also seems to be atheists that believe that a Divine Being is unnecessary, and reject God on a philosophical basis or perhaps they simply find it inconvenient to believe in God. It is my impression, however, that these atheists are closer to agnostics - as “pure” scientists should be.

Since science can do no better or no worse than agnosticism, that leaves many scientists with a dilemma - should they believe in God or not? Blaise Pascal (you may be familiar with his triangle) argues that it's only logical for a person to believe in God. Pascal's Wager, as it has come to be known, posits that it is a better "bet" to believe that God exists than not to believe, because the expected value of believing (which Pascal assessed as infinite) is always greater than the expected value of not believing. Although Pascal used it as an argument for Christianity, it can more generally refers to any kind of belief in a Divine Being. If one were to believe in God solely because of this Wager, then it would not really constitute a true belief. It would, however, strengthen the argument that atheism is a belief that is not based on science.

The Race for Plug-In Hybrids

Early last year, I blogged about plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs):
http://captnsaj.blogspot.com/2006/04/phev-never-visit-gas-pump-again-almost.html

Now it seems the world's two biggest automakers are somewhat in a race to bring to market the first PHEV. I say "it's about time".

For a while now, they're been rumors that Toyota is planning to introduce PHEV version of the popular Prius. The concept has a ready been proven by companies like EDrive Sytems and even a utility company, Wisconsin Public Power Inc. (see story). But for some reason, which makes no sense to me, Toyota has been hesitant. The Prius has been around for a few years now and can be seen all over. Most people know what a hybrid is all about, and are buying them by the thousands. The idea that adding a plug-in option would hurt the reputation of hybrids is foolish.
At the 2007 North American international auto show in Detroit, GM executive Bob Lutz unveiled a plug-in hybrid concept car, the Volt. GM has claimed that they would like to have it in production for the 2010 model year. But some people have been saying that it's only a PR stunt and considerate "vaporware".

Despite all the skepticism, it seems both GM and Toyota are serious about this endeavor. Just yesterday, June 5, GM awarded contracts to two battery suppliers (out of 13 who submitted bids). This comes one month after GM announced that they think that producing the Volt is doable by 2010 .

Recently, a Pennsylvania-based company, Lithium Technology Corporation, announced it was going to manufacture a new type of lithium battery - lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4). This new technology might hold the key for future PHEVs. It seems to offer almost everything the car manufactures are looking for -- lightweight, long-range, and long life.

Even if this new battery technology does not pan out, there are many others in the pipeline (and let's not forget the improvements to the current technology which is pretty darn good).

I would like to see both GM and Toyota use existing technology to make a PHEV. It doesn't have to run 150 miles on a charge, doesn't matter on 50 miles in charge. For now just to get the technology rolling (pun intended) I would be happy with a PHEV echoes 10 or 15 miles, enough for my daily commute and I suspect there are many others who have similarly short commute. And then, next year or the year after they can incorporate new battery technologies and even offer to retrofit older PHEV's, perhaps when the battery life runs out.

Even though Toyota has much more experiences with hybrid technology, I'm personally rooting for the "underdog" GM. They haven't been doing so well in the last few years, I'd like to think that they can do something right for a change.

Islam in a Science Magazine?

I was looking through my mail today when I came across this magazine (see cover picture). At first glance look like a magazine my parents subscribe to -- an Islamic magazine -- except for one small difference: the magazine was Discover - a science magazine!

I remember an issue of Time magazine with an Islamic topic as the main story, but this is the first time I'd ever see an Islamic story on the cover of a science magazine, especially one that comes out and says "Science and Islam" on the cover of Discover Magazine. (oddly, the issue is not dated, so i am assuming it is some special report - it arrived June 5, 2007.) I was curious to find out what was in the article so I flip to page 36 and started reading carefully.

The article's author traveled to several Arab countries to interview scientists. Some of the topics covered in the article included reasons why the Islamic world is currently behind in terms of science, reasons why it will stay that way, also reasons why there is hope for a better future for science in the world.

The article starts out talking about how in some places, such as Egypt, scientists whose views do not fall in line with the way the Quran is currently interpreted are hushed or not allowed to teach or teach conduct scientific research. It also talks about how some supposed “scientists” try manipulating science in order to match the Quran. The article spends time talking about Jordan. As a country where scientific inquiry is being sandwiched between a lack of natural resources, such as water, and a flood of Iraqi refugees, adding to the already strained resources of the Jordanian government (not to say anything about the state of the Jordanian government). Such seems to be the case in many Islamic countries. Between the government trying to provide its services and lending its own pockets, basic scientific research and education just can't compete for funding. Compound in all of this, is an ongoing brain drain that will probably continue for the foreseeable future.

The article doesn't spiral little bit of hope in that it describes the struggles of several scientists in Islamic countries that are trying to make the best of a grim situation. The major bright spot in the entire article was a $10 million facility that would act as a knowledge of center collaboration for many Middle Eastern countries (yes, even Israel).

The article brings out many realities that Arabs and Muslims don't like to talk about. Muslims are always nostalgic about the golden age of Islam. But those times are way over. Muslims need to accept that fact and learn to accept good science, whether or not the ideas are popular.

Although funding will probably always be an issue in countries like Jordan and Egypt, it pains me to see much wealthier nations such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi squandered their wealth on frivolous projects, when they could be putting that money to much better use.

I Edit Wikipedia...

I have become hooked on Wikipedia - I use it almost as much as Google or Yahoo.

Why do I like it so much? Because in medical school, a lot of time we're taught "that's the way it is" or "its idiopathic" (which as Isaac Asimov put it, "A high-flown term to conceal ignorance")

[Picture caption: From Weird Al's "White and Nerdy" music video]


When I look the disease up on Wikipedia, many times there are actual theories that help make the disease make sense to me. The theories may not be correct or verified, but at least there's something!

Its also a great reference to find more information.

I often find myself making changes to Wikipedia - fixing spelling, adding a link, or sometimes even adding new info. On occasion, I even start a new entry.

To date, I have made about 100 contributions (hopefully many more to come).

A friend of mine asked me if people who contributed got anything in return. I responded with the following:

It’s all volunteer work, my friend. Wikimedia Foundation is a nonprofit organization. As far as I can tell, they pay the board members a certain salary and perhaps a few admins. Other than that, they rely on nerds (like me) and super-nerds to add, edit, modify, and verify the content.

As far as I can tell, they work soley off of dontations from people who care (I donated a small amount last year - I use it so much, I felt I had to).

I edit because it helps me learn the material I am studying and it makes me feel extra warm and nerdy inside :-)

Voice Recognition Software: a Godsend or a Hassle?

While studying form the boards, I found myself taking pages and pages of notes -- I think in all I must have hand written over a hundred pages. It helped me learn the material, but it has one small problem: it really hurts my hand. Along with the constant mouse usage, I found I was developing a mild case Of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I decided it was time for a change. So why are acquired a copy of Dragon NaturallySpeaking version 9.

I remember when voice recognition software was still new. It was very frustrating, you would end up correcting a lot more than was worth. But I got to tell you, this new version is really good. I don't know how they do it but so far this thing is very accurate. In fact this entire entry was dictated through the software, so forgive any mistakes I may have missed.

It takes a little bit getting used to, and a little bit of training, but in the end I think it's well worth it. I think part of its success stems from the fact that they use writing pattern and recognition that analyzes your pattern of writing and somehow incorporates your style of writing in to its dictation. This is only to second document that I dictated what the software and yet I have only had to make a handful of corrections.

Voice recognition software is being used more and more in the medical field. Seeing that I'm going to be a doctor soon (I hope) and that means that getting used to using voice recognition software now will be a big advantage in the field.

Most of all, though, I think it's way cool. I remember the first time I saw an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation and thinking "wouldn't it be great if we had the ability to talk to computers so easily as they make it seem?"

Now, if only the computers or understand what the heck we were saying. In the next few decades, who knows?

The Captain is Back

After almost a year I decided to return to edit my blog. Why have I been gone for so long? One word: medical school. I just finished my second year medical school. It went much better for me than my first year but it was very difficult. Now it's time to study for Boards (a.k.a. USMLE).

I know I should be studying, but I can't resist sharing my thoughts with the world.

A lot has changed since I first started this blog. I am adapting to the married life, it hasn't been easy but it's been well worth it.

I learned so much in this last year -- not only in medical school, but also from listening to the news, reading blogs, and listening to podcasts.

For those of you who have enjoyed my thoughts thus far, I hope you continue to enjoy them as I make new additions to my blog.

Oh yeah, in case you've noticed I disable anonymous commenting -- it seems that people love to use blogs as a way of advertising. Don't worry can still comment on my blog, I just would like to take responsibility for your content.