LETTERS: LAWS: NATURE AND SOCIETY

To the editor:

Quite early in life we begin to learn about authority. The first authority a child learns is that of the parents. However, not much time passes before children begin to question parental authority. One is told to do something, and the question is "Who said so?" -- often to the parents' surprise or dismay. The child soon learns to express his own independence.

It sometimes comes as a bit of a surprise to young parents or teachers when a child doesn't respect the authority they were supposed to have. At times, that authority is earned and respected, and at times it is learned.

When first going to school, one is told to respect the teacher. It doesn't take long for a child to learn who has authority and who doesn't. He recognizes that some who are supposed to have authority soon reveal they don't have the training or experience which merit one's attention.

There is a difference between the so-called immutable laws of nature and the manmade or society-made laws designed to control order or behavior. Laws can be questioned, especially when they do not do what they are designed to do.

Occasionally, some scientist will question the authority and validity of some long-established law, and with diligent research and study he may learn that some of the suppositions of the past are not true, convincing humanity that someone didn't know as much as was assumed. Or an Einstein will emerge to show us that things aren't exactly what they were supposed to be.

When we learn that life can't be built solidly upon suppositions alone, we are sometimes disillusioned by the person who is supposed to know. there must be proof and ideas tested, and experience will, in time, prove if one is right or wrong.

Someone who may have read the "Farmer's Almanac" said we are supposed to have a nice spring season. Perhaps he forgot that the weather in March can be very tricky and isn't always what it is supposed to be.

A man once said to me: "I thought they prophesied rain for today." I hadn't heard the term used in that way before. It simply reminds us that meteorology is not an exact science. There are too many variables. Still, when a weather report is given, one meteorologist is usually credited for providing the good or pleasant days and receives his thanks for the nice weather. He also gets his criticisms for the bad or inclement weather.

One can expect hot and humid weather in July or August, as it is supposed to be, but don't take my word for it, since fortunately neither of us has much control. We can assume that it will be what it is supposed to be regardless of our predictions.

Have a good spring and summer.

IVAN NOTHDURFT

Cape Girardeau