Mysticism and Science

Regarding Popper’s definition of science, he argued that science requires falsifiability. Mystical claims, however, lack falsifiability. I will discuss my thoughts on Mysticism from several angles.

If a theory requires multiple parameters to compute a result, and the boundaries of these parameters are vague, the output’s boundaries will also be vague. For example, in Y = X*Z, where X and Z range from (1,10), Y ranges from (1,100). Here, X and Z’s boundaries are clear, so Y’s boundaries are clear as well. In Y’ = X’*Z’, if X’ and Z’ are vaguely defined as “around 1 to 10,” Y’ will also be vague. If Y’ equals 121, observers might argue X’ and Z’ could be 11, close to 10, fitting the vague condition, making Y’ = 121 unfalsifiable.

Consider a less precise example: mixing yellow and blue yields green. If yellow’s boundaries are vague, so are blue’s, and thus green’s. A controversial green, mixed from colors subjectively deemed yellow and blue, may be questioned as “not green.” Due to vague boundaries, this green cannot falsify the claim that yellow and blue make green. I do not deny falsifiability’s value, but such cases suggest it depends not only on a theory’s correctness but also on experimental methods.

To analyze phenomena, we first categorize them, the starting point of logical reasoning. To study color mixing, we define the RGB ranges of yellow and blue. Vague category boundaries lead to uncertain or vague results. Deduction (splitting A into A1 and A2) or induction (combining A1 and A2 into A) introduces further boundary uncertainty. Extensive deductive and inductive operations exacerbate boundary vagueness, reducing a theory’s practical guidance if results cover all vague boundaries.

When analyzing reality using a theory with vague boundaries, users can adjust the boundaries to favor the outcome, making the theory seem reasonable due to its flexibility, rather than its explanatory power. Mystical theories, with vague logical boundaries, often provide seemingly reasonable explanations in reality, due to subjective boundary adjustments. Scientific theories, with clearer boundaries, offer precise conclusions, making them more reliable for practical guidance.

However, defining Mysticism and science reveals a blurry boundary. Even scientific boundaries are not entirely clear, existing somewhere between fully clear (1) and fully vague (0), excluding absolute clarity or vagueness.