Natural Sciences

Question 1

anomaly

Answer 1

observation that seems to contradict a generally accepted theory

Question 2

conjectures and refutations

Answer 2

conjecture- imaginitive hypothesis; no mechanical way of coming up with good hypothesis based on observational data; a testable intuition
refutations- decisive, and only one counter example is needed to be proven false

Question 3

controlled experiment

Answer 3

necessary for a good scientific experiment, only vary one factor at a time to determine its effect (helps isolate the cause)

Question 4

empiricist

Answer 4

experience is main source of knowledge, and oberservational evidence. If a theory is to survive and flourish then it must be consistent with observational facts

Question 5

falsification

Answer 5

a theory that explains everything explains nothing; scientific theories can’t explain everything. Scientists should spend time trying to prove hypotheses false (refutations) becuase its decisive

Question 6

hypothesis

Answer 6

determines science from pseudo-science. To be a genuinely scientific statement, it must be testable (not vague and no ad hoc exceptions)

Question 7

law

Answer 7

occurs when experimental results confirm the hypothesis

Question 8

logical positivism

Answer 8

form of positivism that considers that the only meaningful philosophical problems are those that can be solved by a logical analysis. Must be verified empircally or falsified

Question 9

physics envy

Answer 9

critique of human sciences (“soft”) in their attempt to come closer to mathematical evidence/certainty

Question 10

principle of simplicity

Answer 10

given two competing theories which make exactly the same predictions, the similar theory is preferred. Reflects the belief in orderliness and comprehensibility of nature. Shows that the aesthetic considerations affect choice of the hypothesis
-problem of hypothesis

Question 11

pseudo-science

Answer 11

fake science; claims the status of science while lacking its substance; has un-testable hyotheses due to vagueness or ad hoc exceptions; resembling science but based on assumptions and has not been experimentally proven
-cannot be falsified

Question 12

rationalist

Answer 12

someone who sees reason as the main source of knowledge, belief that order is “out there” and can be captured in scientific theories

Question 13

relativism

Answer 13

school of thought in which there is no such thing as absolute truth; and truth is different for all individuals (contradicts itself)

Question 14

science worship

Answer 14

dont question paradigms

-scientists are “playing god” and trying to create everything

Question 15

scientism

Answer 15

science is the only way we can make sense of reality and discover the truth

• science is capable of finding all the answers to all the questions
• invoves science worship

Question 16

induction/inductivism

Answer 16

traditional picture of the scientific method

1. observation
2. hypotheses
3. experiment
4. law
5. theory
   - go from specific to general: scientific truths are provisional truths

Question 17

problems of induction

Answer 17

inductive reasoning moves from the observed to the unobserved; make generalizations based on things that were not observed; assume the laws of nature
-how many experiments are enough

Question 18

Scope of natural science

Answer 18

natural sciences study the natural world and people as biological species within the natural world

Question 19

personal or shared?

Answer 19

• all scientific knowledge is shared publically, communally and internationally
• science can fall victim to human weaknesses, and scientists try to correct each other

Question 20

Ways of knowing

Answer 20

perception-observation as major justification
reason-justification to accept knowledge claims
emotion-benefit/hinder bc of interest, pride irritation
language- scientists communicate with each other