Path: utzoo!utgpu!attcan!uunet!lll-winken!lll-tis!ames!ucsd!sdics!norman
From: norman@sdics.ucsd.EDU (Donald A. Norman - danorman@ucsd.edu (or .bitnet))
Newsgroups: comp.cog-eng
Subject: Re: programs in cognitive science
Message-ID: <595@sdics.ucsd.EDU>
Date: 2 Aug 88 23:12:52 GMT
References: <GHH.88Jul16135559@confidence.princeton.edu> <536@buengc.BU.EDU> <582@sdics.ucsd.EDU> <1268@mtunb.ATT.COM>
Reply-To: norman@sdics.UUCP (Donald A. Norman - danorman@ucsd.edu (or .bitnet))
Distribution: all
Organization: UC San Diego Cognitive Science Department
Lines: 29


>As the proud chair of the newly formed Department of Cognitive Science
                                                      ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

<<Ever notice how disciplines that have "science" in their names aren't? 
<<(Sciences,

Ever get tired of hearing this old chestnut?  I do.  Especially as:
1. It isn't true.
     Those who like the statement cite whatever field they think most
     poorly of, ignoring the earth sciences, the space sciences, etc.  In
     addition, their definition of science is highly idiosyncratic and
     suspect.  The National Academy of Sciences, for example, has no
     problem with fields with the word "science" (or "-ology) in their
     name)
2. The statement simply reveals the person's ignorance of language:
the "ology" of the names of many disciplines means "science. of"

How about coming up with a new witticism?  All that talent should
certainly be able to come up with something better.

Don Norman
Department of Cognitive Science C-015
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, California 92093
INTERNET: danorman@ucsd.edu	INTERNET: norman@ics.ucsd.edu  
BITNET:   danorman@ucsd.bitnet	UNIX:{decvax,ucbvax,ihnp4}!sdcsvax!ics!norman
     (If you reply directly to me, please include your postal
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