Science - Beliefs Flashcards
How does Science differ to ideology and religion?
It aspires to be objective and value free, based on research methods producing explanations that are based on empirical evidence
What is Popper’s hypothetico-deductive method?
Testing a hypothesis
What is the hypothesis formation (1) step in the hypothetico-deductive method?
Informed guesses about the possible causes of phenomena
What is the falsification (2) step in the hypothetico-deductive method?
Testing the hypothesis against evidence trying to prove it wrong
What is the prediction (3) step in the hypothetico-deductive method?
Establishing evidence based on cause and effect relationships which would happen again in the future if the same circumstance arose
What is the theory formation (4) step in the hypothetico-deductive method?
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
What is the scrutiny (5) steps in the hypothetico-deductive method?
Scientific theory is scrutinised by other scientists and stands true until new evidence emerges which proves it to be false
What is the enlightenment?
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
What did Galileo do?
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.
What did Darwin do?
Published his theory of evolution - ridiculed by other scientists and the press
What does Gomm argue about Darwin’s theory?
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’
How does Kuhn challenge the tradition view of science?
Saw science as socially constructed - rejects the view that science is based solely on rationality and objectivity
What is a paradigm?
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
What does Kuhn suggest about paradigms?
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
How does Popper suggest that science can be objective?
If it can make predictions that can be falsified - any theory that can be falsified is a scientific theory
What does Giddens argue about science?
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
What does Beck argue about science?
Late modern society is characterised by ‘risk’ and uncertainty
- Risk is magnified by the process of globalisation
What is the overall Postmodern view of science?
It is just another metanarrative - some go as far as calming that science is no different to other forms of faith such as religion
What do Marxists argue about science?
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
What do Feminists argue about science?
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
What does Lyotard argue about science?
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
