Science - Beliefs

Question 1

How does Science differ to ideology and religion?

Answer 1

It aspires to be objective and value free, based on research methods producing explanations that are based on empirical evidence

Question 2

What is Popper’s hypothetico-deductive method?

Answer 2

Testing a hypothesis

Question 3

What is the hypothesis formation (1) step in the hypothetico-deductive method?

Answer 3

Informed guesses about the possible causes of phenomena

Question 4

What is the falsification (2) step in the hypothetico-deductive method?

Answer 4

Testing the hypothesis against evidence trying to prove it wrong

Question 5

What is the prediction (3) step in the hypothetico-deductive method?

Answer 5

Establishing evidence based on cause and effect relationships which would happen again in the future if the same circumstance arose

Question 6

What is the theory formation (4) step in the hypothetico-deductive method?

Answer 6

If the hypothesis is tested, can’t be proven false, then it is likely to be true and so it can become part of a scientific theory

Question 7

What is the scrutiny (5) steps in the hypothetico-deductive method?

Answer 7

Scientific theory is scrutinised by other scientists and stands true until new evidence emerges which proves it to be false

Question 8

What is the enlightenment?

Answer 8

When science developed in 18th century Europe:

- key ideas were that reason could provide an understanding of the world which could be used to improve lives

Question 9

What did Galileo do?

Answer 9

Challenged the view that the earth was the centre of the universe:
Using scientific methods he argued the earth went round the sun = direct conflict with the Catholic church - arrested and charged.

Question 10

What did Darwin do?

Answer 10

Published his theory of evolution - ridiculed by other scientists and the press

Question 11

What does Gomm argue about Darwin’s theory?

Answer 11

That is was accepted soon after in the 19th century because is made gradual evolutionary social change desirable and natural.
- the idea of competition and natural selection could be used to support free market capitalism and legitimate a view of the poor as ‘undeserving’

Question 12

How does Kuhn challenge the tradition view of science?

Answer 12

Saw science as socially constructed - rejects the view that science is based solely on rationality and objectivity

Question 13

What is a paradigm?

Answer 13

A framework stating which theories should be developed, what type of data should be collected and what methods are to be used
- a set of values

Question 14

What does Kuhn suggest about paradigms?

Answer 14

That when scientists test their hypothesis they try to fit their findings into the existing paradigm = might overlook evidence that does not fit their paradigm

Question 15

How does Popper suggest that science can be objective?

Answer 15

If it can make predictions that can be falsified - any theory that can be falsified is a scientific theory

Question 16

What does Giddens argue about science?

Answer 16

People now have serious doubts over Enlightenment beliefs:

• Science no longer seen as bringing certainty
• Views that science will improve the human condition are now treated with increasing scepticism = science brings risk e.g. Chernobyl

Question 17

What does Beck argue about science?

Answer 17

Late modern society is characterised by ‘risk’ and uncertainty
- Risk is magnified by the process of globalisation

Question 18

What is the overall Postmodern view of science?

Answer 18

It is just another metanarrative - some go as far as calming that science is no different to other forms of faith such as religion

Question 19

What do Marxists argue about science?

Answer 19

That is serves the interests of dominant groups (bourgeoisie)
- advances is supposedly pure science have been drive by Capitalism’s need for certain types of knowledge

Question 20

What do Feminists argue about science?

Answer 20

Argue biological ideas have been used to justify male domination
- Harding: science reflects male assumptions and understandings about the world
= possible for science can be seen as a form of ideology

Question 21

What does Lyotard argue about science?

Answer 21

Science falsely claims to offer the truth about how the world works as a means to progress to a better society, in reality he argues science is just one more way of thinking that can be used to dominate people
= used by powerful groups e.g. drug companies