Washington Metro Objectivism Discussion (WMOD) Wednesday, October 30, 2002 Revival of Objectivity in Scientific Method By Doug Fraedrich Objectivism differentiates between the concepts of proof and validation. The system exploits the use of concepts that are generally not proven, but subject to validation. While proof is accomplished by logical deduction, validation is accomplished by the application of the Scientific Method. Since this sub-field of Epistemology is not covered under the umbrella of Objectivism, this talk will review several recent developments in this field and assess the applicability of several methods for integration into the Objectivism framework. Doug Fraedrich is currently a research physicist with the Federal Government. Mr. Fraedrich holds degrees in Physics from the College of William and Mary and in Statistics from the George Washington University. His professional research interests involve the validation of scientific simulations. This epistemological research, combined with his academic interest in Objectivism has resulted in philosophical investigations into the Scientific Method. WHEN AND WHERE IS THE WMOD MEETING? Please join WMOD on Wednesday, October 30. Anyone who is interested in rational discussion of Ayn Rand's ideas is welcome. There will be a $2 charge for the talk if you are not having dinner. Note that our meeting location is Metro accessible. You can either join us for drinks at 6:30 or for dinner at 7:00 PM or for the talk at 8:00 PM at the Hunan Palace in Rosslyn, VA just across the Key Bridge from Georgetown. The street address is 1812 North Moore Street. If you come by Metro, get off at the Rosslyn Metro Exit and the Hunan Palace is only a few feet away. Take the street exit on N. Moore Street (across street from Roy Rogers/Burger King), go out of Metro and take a left, and the Palace is a few feet down N. Moore Street. If you drive, there is a parking garage (Allstate) next door to the Palace that is free weekends, or weekdays after 6:00 PM. There will be a $15 fixed price dinner (including tax and tip), or you can order from the menu. Please RSVP to WMOD at (703) 820-7696 before noon on the day of the meeting so that we can tell the restaurant how many tables to set up and how many to expect for dinner. For more information, call the Hunan Palace at (703) 528-8188, or call David Saum at (703) 820-7696 (W) or (703) 671-5119 (H). FUTURE MEETINGS WMOD meetings are generally held on the third Wednesday of each month. We are always looking for new stimulating meeting topics related to Objectivism. Please contact WMOD if you have suggestions for meeting topics and locations, or if you can volunteer some time to arrange meetings. CALENDAR Weekly on Thursdays: Objectivist discussion group meeting at 7:00PM at La Madelaine Restaurant - Baileys Crossroads, at the corner of Route # 7 and Columbia Pike next to Borders Books. Contact Jan Helfeld: JanHelfeld@aol.com Every Monday: Socrates Cafe philosophic discussion group meeting, at 7:00PM at Borders Books, second floor, at Bailey's Crossroads, VA. Contact Jan Helfeld: JanHelfeld@aol.com The Objectivist Center (formerly IOS) events http://www.objectivistcenter.org GMU Objectivist Club Events http://www.gmu.edu/org/objectivist/upevnts.htm Cato Institute Events http://www.cato.org/events/calendar.html Free-Market.Net Calendar http://www.free-market.org/directory/events/ Future of Freedom Foundation Events http://www.fff.org/events/events.htm Institute for Humane Studies http://www.theIHS.org/ (please let WMOD know about other events that we should list) WMOD Contact Information Contact: Dave Saum WMOD PO Box 8007 Falls Church, VA 22041 Email: DSaum at infiltec.com Phone: (703) 820-7696 Fax: (703) 671-9350 Web: http://www.infiltec.com/wmod.htm --------------email list information To subscribe to the WMOD email meeting announcement list, just send an email to WMOD-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WMOD/. -------------------