Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." –...
Transcript of Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." –...
![Page 1: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
1
Science and The Scientific Method
How do we know what we know?
![Page 2: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
"Science is a way of trying not to fool yourself." – Richard Feynman
![Page 3: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
3
The Scientific Method
1) Unending process
2)Interplay of theory & observation
Text
![Page 4: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
4
The Scientific Method Application
! Observation: The car won't start.
! Hypothesis: The battery is dead.
! Prediction: If I connect a fresh battery, the car will start.
![Page 5: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
5
Practice Question
Q. What is the last step in the Scientific Method?
A. Observation
B. Hypothesis
C. Publication
D. There is no last step; it is an unending process.
![Page 6: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
"All that we can hope to do is to leave behind us Observations that may be confided in, and to propose Hypotheses which after Ages may examine, amend or confute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742)
![Page 7: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
7
Scientific Theories
"Theory" in common speech
An unproven idea—probably a bad one.
"Theory" in science
A theory is 1) an explanation of a phenomenon in nature in terms of simpler ideas 2) an explanation that enables one to make predictions that can be tested.
![Page 8: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
8
Theories: true, false, and ?
! The Special Theory of Relativity —true
! The Earth-centered Theory of the Solar System—false
! String Theory — maybe, maybe not
![Page 9: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
9
Testability of TheoriesScientific Theories are Testable
Testable means that they can be proved wrong.
Example 1
The Earth is the center of the solar system.
Example 2
There are other universes which exist in parallel with our universe.
![Page 10: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Testability
People think scientists try to prove their theories right. Which is easier...
A) proving a theory right.
B) proving a theory wrong.
Comment: "Scientific theories can be disproved, but never proved 100%."
![Page 11: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
11
Practice Question
A scientific theory is…
A. A well-established fact.
B. A doubtful idea.
C. A hypothesis that makes testable, useful predictions.
D. A really dumb idea.
![Page 12: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
12
Are Theories Ever Correct?
! 1000 BC: The Earth is flat.
! 300 BC: The Earth is a sphere.
! 1800 AD: The Earth is a flattened sphere (oblate spheroid).
! 2000 AD: The Earth's surface is irregular.
! Example: the theory of gravity.
![Page 13: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
13
Good Theories
A good scientific theory…
…is testable.
…enlightens us.
…works.
…raises new questions.
…although it's not necessarily "true."
![Page 14: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
14
Practice Question
Q. An essential characteristic of a scientific theory is that:
A. It has been proved true.
B. It can be proved true.
C. It can be proved false.
D. All scientists agree upon it.
![Page 15: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
15
Newton's Rules of Science Principia (1686)
1. Scientific theories should not try to explain more than what we observe in nature.
2. The same effects arise from the same causes.
3. The properties of things and the laws of nature are universal.
4. The simplest hypothesis that accounts for the observations should be held true "or very nearly true" until contradicted by observation. (Occam's Razor)
![Page 16: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
16
Practice Question
Scientists prefer theories that are…
A. As simple as possible.
B. As complex as possible.
C. Not falsifiable.
D. Elegant but not useful.
![Page 17: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Bacon's Admonition
The goal of science should be the betterment of mankind.
![Page 18: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Thoughts about science
Know more about the world today than you did yesterday.
Lessen the suffering of others.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEFPgyyzkHo
![Page 19: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
19
Pseudo-science
! Pseudo-science: schools of thought that may appear to be scientific, but are not.
Pseudo = false! Examples
Magical healingPalmistryUFOlogyMars Face
"When is McDonalds going
to get here?"
![Page 20: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
20
Pseudo-science vs science
1. A pseudo-science makes claims that" are untestable, or" are testable but are not tested
scientifically, or" have failed testing but the failure is
ignored.2. The predictions of a pseudo-science lack
theoretical explanation.
![Page 21: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
21
Objective vs. Subjective
The predictions are "verified" by subjective rather than objective means.
ObjectiveBased on observable fact.Something everyone can agree upon.
SubjectiveOpen to personal interpretation.Something people have different
viewpoints about.
![Page 22: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
22
Hume's Maxim"No testimony is sufficient to establish a miracle, unless the
testimony be of such kind, that its falsehood would be more miraculous than the fact which it endeavors to establish."—David Hume (1711-1776)
"Extraordinary claims require
extraordinary evidence." —Carl Sagan (1934-1996)
"A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence."
![Page 23: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
23
Pseudoscientific Thinking1. Anecdotes (stories) and rumors aren't proof.
2. Scientific jargon does not make a science.
3. Heretics aren't right because they are laughed at.
4. Unexplained isn't inexplicable.
5. Coincidence is not cause and effect.
6. Improbable events must be beyond scientific understanding.
7. The burden of proof is on the heretic.
![Page 24: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
24
UFO
What is the most likely explanation for these images?
![Page 25: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
25
UFO
What could this be?
![Page 26: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
26
Practice Question
Q. Pseudo-science differs from science in that:
A) Science is always right.
B) Pseudo-science doesn't use the Scientific Method.
C) Pseudo-scientists are open-minded.
D) Science can't study the para-normal.
![Page 27: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
27
Skepticism
Skepticism, like chastity, should not be relinquished too readily. —George Santayana (1863-1952)
The wisest mind has something yet to learn. —Santayana
![Page 28: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
Thoughts about science
Know more about the world today than you did yesterday.
Lessen the suffering of others.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEFPgyyzkHo
![Page 29: Science and The Scientific Method - FatCowvincentlloyd.fatcow.com/Public/Science.pdfconfute." – Edmund Halley (1656–1742) ... The predictions of a pseudo-science lack theoretical](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022042113/5e8f15049a701144e436cae2/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
29
Hypatia's Admonition
"Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all. To teach superstitions as truth is a most terrible thing."
––Hypatia (400 AD).