NatureofScience

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1、Biology,Biologists,and SocietyWhat is science?Science is a way of knowing based on experimental or observational evidence and its interpretation.Science is a discipline largely defined by its primary method the scientific method.Discovery or observational science.Hypothesis-driven or experimental sc

2、ience.Two Primary Approaches to ScienceHttp:/ 起重机 立体停车设备 电动葫芦How(Most)Science Works The Scientific Method and Hypothesis-Driven ScienceIts not all mechanics-intuition,hunches,and a feel for the system under study drive scientific investigations.Should be falsifiable.A Classic Application of the Scie

3、ntific MethodNote that its fine to have more than one testable hypothesis.Note that two independent experiments reject the hypothesis of spontaneous generation and support the alternative hypothesis that life comes only from existing life.A Classic Application of the Scientific MethodRejection of a

4、hypothesis proves it wrong;support of a hypothesis doesnt prove it right.Scientific Proof?Some Scientific Questions Cant Be Answered By ExperimentationOne current view of hominid evolution.Discovery or observational science is still science;falsifiable hypotheses based on natural phenomenon are prop

5、osed to best account for observations.Some Scientific Questions Cannot Be Answered By ExperimentationProvisional Assent Scientific Ideas Can Only Be Proven WrongA theory stands because observations or experimentation never proves its tenets wrong.This doesnt prove the theory is correct only that its

6、 never been proved wrong.In this sense,scientific knowledge is provisional.But whats a theory?Fact,Hypothesis and TheoryThese terms,especially theory,are commonly misunderstood.A hypothesis is a testable prediction.A fact is an undisputed piece of information derived from observation.A good hypothes

7、is should be falsifiable.A theory is a general set of principles that explain some natural phenomenon.Examples of scientific theories are the theory of gravitation,the atomic theory,the cell theory,and the theory of evolution.What Kind of People Are Scientists?Reality:Scientists can be egocentric,em

8、otional nutcakes at least as well as anyone.The Textbook CaseScientists are dispassionate and always reasoned in their approaches to their discipline and the world around them.One Human Side of Science What Does Biology Offer Society?Lots in terms of medicine,agriculture,maintaining a healthy enviro

9、nment,and basic understanding of ourselves and our world.One of many recent examples of“good”biology.Science and scientists of all kinds are poorly understood by the public and scientists tend to poorly understand the publicHow Does Society Understand Biology and Biologists?Its our own fault.How Doe

10、s Society Understand Biology and Biologists?The Scope and Limitations of ScienceScience acquires knowledge through examination of falsifiable hypotheses based on natural phenomena.This sets a limit on science;science cannot speak directly to such issues as morality or religion.The domain and limit o

11、f science are often misunderstood.The Scope and Limitations of Science Are More Than An Academic IssueThe Scope and Limitations of Science Are More Than An Academic IssueThe Scope and Limitations of Science Are More Than An Academic IssueSummary points of the December 20,2005 Kitzmiller v.Dover Area

12、 School District ruling:Is this the final word on evolution and alternatives in the classroom?Hardly.The Scope of Biologyall of thissome of thisBiology and its study are arranged hierarchically.New properties(emergent properties)arise at each level of organization.Evolution Is Biologys Unifying Principle