Lecture 0- Perspective and Science

empiricism

observation- direct experience “fire is hot“

authority

“vegetables are good for you“

tenacity

intuition- superstition “feels right“

rationalism

logic- reason “Socrates is mortal “

Science

rationalization + empiricism

atomic theory

cell theory

gravitation theory

evolution theory

natural causality

all observable events due to natural causes

natural law are universal in space and time

laws of nature do not change over time or place

universal human perception

people perceive natural events in fundamentally the same way

scientific method

most accurate way to acquire new knowledge: it is a method or process not a belief system

the scientific method equals

empiricism + rationalism = scientific method

overview of scientific method

phenomenon, observation, hypothesis, prediction, experiment, data, conclusion

1. observation

phenomenon in the natural world piques human curiosity, we take not, then ask why

hypothesis

a statement attempting to explain the observation, potential answer to a question

inductive reasoning

specific idea → general concepts; develops a hypothesis

ex: dr. i is deaf in his right ear

dr. i is a professor

all professors are deaf in their right ear

prediction

science biggest power

can’t predict, it isn’t science

challenge the validity of a hypothesis

developed through deductive reasoning

deductive reasoning

general concept→ specific ideas

generates testable predictions

ex: all people are mortal

dr. i is a person

dr. i is mortal

is a testable prediction

experiment

test the prediction, takes place within a system

variables

factors might affect the outcome of the experiment

independent variable

the condition that is being evaluated for its effect on the dependent: graphed on the x-axis

dependent variable

the condition that may be affected by the independent variable- response variable : graphed on the y-axis

controlled variables

factors that could have an effect but are kept constant, so they don’t

experimental group

exposed to the independent variable

control

given placebo treatment. control can be positive or negative, depending on the design

data

facts assumed to be true obtained through controlled experimentation

data is collected

objectively and completely, without bias: only afterwards do we interpret the data

data can

support or refute a hypothesis

data must be

visualized for consumption of the reader

re-examine the hypothesis if the data support the hypothesis

increases confidence in accuracy of the hypothesis

additional experiment continue looking for cracks

additional prediction may be tested experimentally

-examine the hypothesis if the data refute the hypothesis

adjust it to fit the data

key difference between science and other pursuits of knowledge- the scientific method allows for ideas to be discarded in favor of newer, more accurate ideas

theory (scientific principle or laws)

a model of some natural phenomenon which there exists a substantial amount of evidence in favor of - and none against

theory

remind scientists that they are continually open to new challenges and interpretation based on newly discovered data

Knowledge 

fact, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience

Epistemology 

the theory of knowledge in regard to its method

list and describe the four fundamental methods of acquiring new knowledge 

observation: act of gathering information through senses

explanation: seek to explain what we have seen

prediction: process of using explanation to forecast future events

control: ability to influence or manipulate variables to test predictions