Further notes about the morphostasis concept - split files

(62) The mass action of popular belief

This is an interesting point in science. The mass action of popular belief fuels normal science. Throughout the scientific and general literature (that, in concert, formalise views) we may see a large variation in belief; particularly when we look across both current and historical writings.

What becomes evident, on close inspection, is that there is a mass action influence on "approved belief". The large majority of working scientist-investigators take up the cudgel of this mass action to barricade their discipline from the threat of alternative theories. Provided that their current belief (paradigm if you like) provides plenty of problems to be solved and papers to be written, then they rarely stray away from the ranks of conformity. Some studies uncover novel perspectives on focused elements but the main push is towards uncovering greater detail about the "approved" mechanisms. Fundamental challenges may lie around for years before they achieve any of the necessary mass action to attract a substantial shift in beliefs and research practices. Copernicus gave us an excellent example of this in his "De revolutionibus" where he resurrects the views of two ancient philosophers who, 300 years before Christ, touted heliocentric views of the solar system. They had to wait until Copernicus and, more so, Galileo to begin to attract this mass action effect.