Natural SciencesNatural Sciences

Science is a way of thinking more than it is a body of knowledge-

Carl Sagan

Science is a way of thinking more than it is a body of knowledge-

Carl Sagan

Since 1600’s , or the Scientific revolution…Since 1600’s , or the Scientific revolution… Discovery of laws of physics 92 elements of the periodic table DNA structure and the human genome Splitting of atoms, cloning of sheep,

travel out of our world Personal efficiency revolution - trains,

cars, computers, phones, etc…

Discovery of laws of physics 92 elements of the periodic table DNA structure and the human genome Splitting of atoms, cloning of sheep,

travel out of our world Personal efficiency revolution - trains,

cars, computers, phones, etc…

Now seen as the dominant paradigmNow seen as the dominant paradigm Problem - not the only certainty “Science may be seen as the art of

oversimplification” - K Popper “Science is a way of describing reality; it

is therefore limited by the limits of observation, and it asserts nothing which is outside observation” - J Bronowski

Problem - not the only certainty “Science may be seen as the art of

oversimplification” - K Popper “Science is a way of describing reality; it

is therefore limited by the limits of observation, and it asserts nothing which is outside observation” - J Bronowski

So, the truths have changed over time…So, the truths have changed over time… What connotations does the word

‘science’ have for you?

What type of backlashes exist?

What connotations does the word ‘science’ have for you?

What type of backlashes exist?

What is the nature and status of scientific knowledge?

What is the nature and status of scientific knowledge? Biology, Chemistry, Physics

Vs

*Astrology, crystology, graphology, etc

Define in groups- what is the difference? If it works, why..?

Biology, Chemistry, Physics

Vs

*Astrology, crystology, graphology, etc

Define in groups- what is the difference? If it works, why..?

Scientific hypotheses are testableScientific hypotheses are testable Pseudo science- notable for vagueness

and ad hoc exceptions…impossible to verify or test

Genuinely scientific statement must be clearly stated and precise

Not depend on making ad hoc exceptions for counter examples

Pseudo science- notable for vagueness and ad hoc exceptions…impossible to verify or test

Genuinely scientific statement must be clearly stated and precise

Not depend on making ad hoc exceptions for counter examples

Which is scientifically testable?Which is scientifically testable? In 2016 you may or may not win the

lottery Everyone is selfish Acid turns litmus paper red

In 2016 you may or may not win the lottery

Everyone is selfish Acid turns litmus paper red

The method- it is not a body of knowledge, but a way of thinking about the world

The method- it is not a body of knowledge, but a way of thinking about the world

InductivismInductivism

1. Observation

2. Hypothesis

3. Experiment

4. Law

5. Theory

What else is needed?

1. Controllability, measurability, reliability

1. Observation

2. Hypothesis

3. Experiment

4. Law

5. Theory

What else is needed?

1. Controllability, measurability, reliability

Think ‘Copernican Revolution’Think ‘Copernican Revolution’ Ptolemy’s ‘disorderly monster’ 1520 - simple and elegant idea - C Galileo - telescope- Venus does change in

size!!! Kepler’s laws of planetary motion Newton - law of gravity: force directly

proportional to mass of bodies, inversely proportional to the square of distance between two bodies

Ptolemy’s ‘disorderly monster’ 1520 - simple and elegant idea - C Galileo - telescope- Venus does change in

size!!! Kepler’s laws of planetary motion Newton - law of gravity: force directly

proportional to mass of bodies, inversely proportional to the square of distance between two bodies

The problems…of observationThe problems…of observation Relevance: Why do students get

colds? What to observe? Movies watched, diet, color of

underwear, heating

Relevance: Why do students get colds?

What to observe? Movies watched, diet, color of

underwear, heating

Problems, cont.Problems, cont.

Expectations: Vulcan reported, and then observed by

multiple astronomers for 50+ years..

Expert seeing: microscopes, telescopes, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear resonance imaging…

Expectations: Vulcan reported, and then observed by

multiple astronomers for 50+ years..

Expert seeing: microscopes, telescopes, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear resonance imaging…

Problems, cont.Problems, cont.

Observer effect: measure the temperature of a cup of tea- does the thermometer change the temperature?

Other problems…in classes?

Observer effect: measure the temperature of a cup of tea- does the thermometer change the temperature?

Other problems…in classes?

Problems with testing hypothesesProblems with testing hypotheses Confirmation bias - looking at some

evidence positively Ej- Virgos are shy Experimental error, ignoring anamolies,

dismissing contradictory evidence

Confirmation bias - looking at some evidence positively

Ej- Virgos are shy Experimental error, ignoring anamolies,

dismissing contradictory evidence

Problems with InductionProblems with Induction

Practically- how many observations to make an acceptable generalization?

No magic/true/set role here…

Based on our limited experience with the universe, can our claims to laws of physics be true?

Practically- how many observations to make an acceptable generalization?

No magic/true/set role here…

Based on our limited experience with the universe, can our claims to laws of physics be true?

Theoretically…Theoretically…

Science is supposed to be empirical- observation is what distinguishes it from pseudo science.

But if scientists refused to make any claims that go beyond actual observations, they’d have to abandon any talk of discovering laws of nature.

Science is supposed to be empirical- observation is what distinguishes it from pseudo science.

But if scientists refused to make any claims that go beyond actual observations, they’d have to abandon any talk of discovering laws of nature.

Critique- Karl PopperCritique- Karl Popper

What is the difference between psychoanalysis and physics?

“A theory which explains everything explains nothing”

Falsification - scientists should try to falsify a hypothesis rather than verify it.

What is the difference between psychoanalysis and physics?

“A theory which explains everything explains nothing”

Falsification - scientists should try to falsify a hypothesis rather than verify it.

Hmm…Hmm…

Although scientific beliefs change over time, is it possible each new theory is closer to truth than previous ones?

Although scientific beliefs change over time, is it possible each new theory is closer to truth than previous ones?

In your journals, for In your journals, for