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| What is the goal of science? |
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Definition
The goal of science is to make sense of nature.
Understand why things happen as they do.
Obtain reliable knowledge of nature. |
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Definition
| emperical tests of ideas. |
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| The conclusion of scence are always... |
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Definition
tentative.
(Scientific Skepticism) |
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Definition
-Science is done 'in the open'
-Scientists report the results of their experiments and observations in the scientific literature. |
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The Scientific Method
(4 Steps) |
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Definition
-Formuating a hypothesis
-Devising a test of the hypothesis
-Testing the hypothesis
-Analyzing/interpreting the results of the test. |
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Term
1. Formulating a hypothesis
(What is a hypothesis?) |
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Definition
| a statement about the observable universe, formulated in a testable manner...a tentative explanation of events or of the way something works. |
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Definition
a claim or idea that cannot be accepted without being tested
(hypothesis) |
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| formulated by means of a variety of 'rational' and 'non-rational' methods. Often hypotheses are based on obersations of nature and study prior of literature. |
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Definition
| reasonal from the specific to the general |
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Term
Hypotheses are sometimes devised via non-rational methods. These methods include:
(4) |
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Definition
-intuition
-analogy with other processes
-serendipity
-religious or philosophical idea |
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Term
| 2. Devising a test of an hypothesis |
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Definition
-Hypotheses are tested by seeing how well they match with reaility.
-Specific predictions are derived from an hypothesis by applying the general hypothesis to a specific, real world situation. |
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Term
| Predictions are derived by deductive logic: |
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Definition
| reasoning from the general to the specific using 'if...then...' statements |
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Term
| Devising a test of an hypothesis |
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Definition
tests should be designed in a way that if yields data that are
consistent with the hypothesis
or
non-consistent with the hypothesis
In a good test it should be possible to obtain data which enable a scientist to reject the hypothesis. |
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Term
| 3. Testing the hypothesis |
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Definition
| compating the prediction derived from the hypothesis with the real world through empirical observations. |
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| Science is an empirical enterprise: |
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Definition
| it relies on data obtained by using the senses aided or unaided by instumentation |
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Definition
| artificially contrived situation set up expressly for the purpose of testing a hypothesis |
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Definition
| method based primarily on careful, naturalistic observations rather than experiment, not artificial situations |
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4. Analyzing/interpresing results of a test
Results of an experiment either: |
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Definition
a.) Are consisten with the prediction (confirm, or corroborate, but prove the hypothesis)
b.) Are not consisten with the prediction |
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Term
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Definition
| Spontaneous generation )idea that living things originate from non-living materical) vs. biogenisis |
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Definition
| Microorganisms found in spoiled broth solutions do not arise spontaneously from the broth, but rather enter from outside |
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| Results of Spallanzani's experiment: |
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Definition
| growth of microorganisms in unsealed but not sealed flasks |
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Term
| Problems with interpreting experiments |
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Definition
-causes may have small effects, effects may have multiple causes
-experiments often based upon flawed assumptions or have flaws in their designs
even when an expiriment is well-designed and well executed, the conclusions may be wrong |
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Scientific Theory
Good theories: |
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Definition
-explain a broad range of obersations
=make novel predictions that guide further research |
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Term
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Definition
| a historical and sociological approach to the philosophy of science. Science is not conducted outside of history or culture. Scientists work in scientific communities and are part of the culture. |
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Definition
a framework of theories, assumptions (presuppositions), shared language and metholodologies within which scientists work.
Paradigms are more than theories-they define a way of thinking about scientific questions. |
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Definition
| Obtain reliable knowledge about the world. |
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Term
| How do science and society interact? |
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Definition
-Science produces outcomes that impact the society in which they live.
-Scientists are members of society and conduct their science in the context of the society in which they live. |
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Definition
you are making ethical decisions, not on bases of consequences, but based on ideas that are right and wrong.
ex-10 commandments |
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Definition
-you are making decisions and are taking into account the outcomes of those decisions
ex. the use of stem cells in science might lead to cures for cancers, diseases etc, BUT this destorys embryos |
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