Chapter 1 - Geology 209 - University of Calgary

Trial & Error Method

Several successions in understanding natural reality, in which a proven-wrong theory is not followed, but reviewed and improved.

Greek Rationalism

A way of thinking in Europe, which shifted from explaining natural reality through supernatural causes to natural/factual causes.

Thales of Miletus (623-546) B.C.

The first to show the Earth's spherical shape through his predictions of an eclipse (585 B.C.).

Anaximander of Miletus (610-546 B.C.)

(There are five main points)

• Produced the first map of the known world.
• Earth is floating unsupported in space.
• Celestial bodies make full circles on their way through the heavens.
• Explained the origin of life without using supernatural causes.
• Provided a sequence of life development.

Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

(There are three main points)

• Complexity of life increases w/ the complexity of organization.
• Embryos develop from homogeneous to heterogeneous.
• Progressive development in nature is from "general" to "special".

Ptolemy of Alexandria (100-170)

• Provided the "geocentric" model of the Solar System and predicted the planet, Moon, and Sun movements on the heavens through it.

Geocentric Model

A theory where Earth is assumed to be in the center of the Solar System.

Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543)

• Provided the heliocentric model for the Solar System, in which the Sun is in the center.

Heliocentric Model

A theory where the Sun is assumed to be in the center of the Solar System with the other planets revolving around it.

Aristarchus of Samos

• Credited with the first heliocentric model.

Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)

(There are four main points)

• Designed first telescope.
• Discovered satellites of Jupiter (Ganymede, Europa, Io, Callisto)
• Discovered Saturn's rings.
• Discovered lunar relief.

Johannes Kepler (1571-1630)

• Demonstrated that planets revolve around the Sun on elliptical orbits.

Elliptical Orbits

When an object moves around another object in an oval shaped path.

Francis Bacon (1569-1626)

• Influenced scientific development in the beginning of the 17th century.

Royal Society of London (1660)

(There are two main points)

• Represented science through an institution as distinct and independent human inquiry.
• Accounts for birth of modern science.

Robert Hooke (1635-1703)

• Founding father of Royal Society of London.

Paradigm Level

• Broad interpretations that explain large-scale phenomena (e.g. Universe Expansion).

What are the four main characteristics of science?

• Relative (no absolute truths in science)
• Not agnostic (explainable)
• Developed through contradiction and debate (involves supporting and opposing parties of the theory)
• Does not accept directionality (observations, cannot change reality)

Pseudoscience

A theory that lacks the essentials to the scientific method.

What is the difference between the word 'Theory' in every-day language, and in scientific language?

In every-day language, theory can prove something right or wrong. In scientific language, it represents a fact or accepted theory for a process.

Geology

• Study of Earth.

What are the two major subdivisions in Geology?

• Physical Geology
• Historical Geology

Physical Geology

• Earth's components and processes.

Historical Geology

• Formation and Evolution of Earth and its supersystems.

Crystallography

• Study of crystals.

Mineralogy

• Study of Minerals.

Petrology

• Study of rocks.

Igneous Petrology

• Study of igneous rocks.

Sedimentary Petrology

• Study of sedimentary rocks.

Metamorphic Petrology

• Study of metamorphic rocks.

Sedimentology

• Study of sediments.

Paleontology

• Study of fossils.

Stratigraphy

• Study of layers and rock arrangements in Earth's interior.

Geophysics

• Study of physical properties of the Earth and its composition.

Geochronology

• Study of geological time in numerical values.

Scientific Method

• Data interpreted through experiment and direct observations.

Is religion absolute or relative?

Absolute.

Is art absolute or relative?

Both.

Is law absolute or relative?

Absolute.

Is science absolute or relative?

Relative.

Thomas Burnet (1635-1715)*

• "The Sacred Theory of the Earth"
• Speculated Earth's formation (originated from chaos; little parts and particles of matter mixed together).

Nicolaus Steno (1638-1686)*

• Contributed to the estimations surrounding the first principles of layer formation.

Jean-Andre Deluc (1778)*

(There are two main points)

• Credited with the first use of the term 'geology'.
• This term was later fixed by Horace-Benedict de Saussure (1779).

Scientific creationism is considered pseudoscience because...

• It accepts directionality.