Path: utzoo!utgpu!attcan!uunet!bionet!net.bio.net!kristoff From: kristoff@NET.BIO.NET (Dave Kristofferson) Newsgroups: bionet.molbio.bio-matrix Subject: Re: First Monthly Matrix reminder Message-ID: Date: 22 May 89 18:41:54 GMT Sender: kristoff@NET.BIO.NET Lines: 30 I have heard the BIO-MATRIX speech on "reasoning from first principles" given on several occasions now without provoking the slightest bit of reaction. Given the fact that people in symbolic logic, e.g., Godel, have proven that reasoning from first principles has certain deficiencies even in logic, I am surprised that this possibility is even mentioned without an accompanying sly smile in the arena of biology. Perhaps smiles just do not come through on e-mail 8-)! I would think that the BIO-MATRIX approach has some merit but it strikes me that its case is weakened in the eyes of practicing biologists every time one brings up this "reasoning from first principles" example. My suggestion is to drop the physics talk. Instead of making the effort sound more impressive, it detracts from it. (P.S. - I started out in physical chemistry and physics, too, so this is not conveyed by someone who does not appreciate that mode of thinking. Instead I believe that it is necessary to use the right tools for the right problem.) Sincerely, Dave Kristofferson BIONET Resource Manager kristoff@net.bio.net or kristofferson@bionet-20.bio.net