book chapter 1 (2)

Question 1

two cautionary notes about falsificationism as a view of science

Answer 1

1. The relationship between empirical evidence and a scientific theory can be complicated, so it is sometimes hard to say when the evidence disproves an idea
2. Trying to prove central ideas false again and again would limit scientific progress

Question 2

Two key elements of falsificationism that do seem to accurately describe scientific reasoning

Answer 2

1. Any scientific claim should be falsifiable. This means that one should be able to describe what kind of empirical evidence would, if found, show that the claim is wrong.

Science requires honestry when evidence seems to go against a claim or theory. When scientists discover apparently falsifying evidence, they should begin to doubt the idea under investigation.

Question 3

Evidence

Answer 3

Is information that plays the role of making a difference to what one is justified in believeing.

Question 4

openness to falsification

Answer 4

The idea of science that any claim or theory should be abandoned when the preponderance of evidence suggests its wrong

Question 5

Quantitative analysis

Answer 5

The use of mathematical techniques to measure or investigate phenomena, found in most science

Question 6

social scientists

Answer 6

Often rely on in depth interviews, focus groups and other probative techniques that dont involve any mathematics

Question 7

another method distinctive science is found in its social and institutional structure. Science relies on communitites of many people working together on related projects but also with different ideas, techniques, aims and values. >Scientists are in some ways collaborating; teams of scientists working together on special projects, and all research is based on the findings of other scientists work. In other words scientists are always competing with one another, for example, to make a discovery first, to get their research projects funded, and to show that ones idea is better supported by the evidence than an opposing idea.

Question 8

we shall characterize science as

Answer 8

An inclusive social project of developing natural explanations of natural phenomena

Question 9

intelligent design

Answer 9

To deascribe the idea that an intelligent creator is responsible for life on earth