Conceptual Physics Notes: Scientific Thinking The Context for the Scientific Method

Scientific Thinking Questions: How do we know our knowledge of something is correct? Answer: We cannot know for sure, however, we can know with a degree of certainty by looking objectively at evidence and thinking scientifically.

Scientific Thinking Goal of Science Discover reliable knowledge RK is knowledge that has a high probability of being true RK is discovered not by proving ideas true but by disproving bad ideas. Science does not prove anything

Scientific Thinking: The Three components 1. Empiricism – the use of empirical evidence Types of Evidence Empirical – evidence that can be experienced Authoritarian – evidence from an expert Testimonial – eye-witness accounts Circumstantial – evidence that depends on the circumstance (means, motive, opportunity)

Scientific Thinking: The Three components Types of Evidence Emotional – evidence derived from feeling Hearsay – evidence based on secondhand accounts Spectral – evidence revealed by a ghost or angel

Scientific Thinking: The Three components 2. Rationalism – practice of logical thinking Rationalism… Draws good conclusions based on good evidence Puts facts, events, evidence, in the correct order Is opposite of emotional, hopeful, and wishful thinking

Scientific Thinking: The Three components 3.Skepticism: possessing a skeptical attitude Skepticism… Continually examines evidences’ reliability Continually examines different arguments Continually examines reasons for belief

Scientific Thinking: The Three components Being skeptical… Does not mean being negative Means changing ones belief given new information Requires extraordinary evidence for extraordinary claims

Scientific Thinking: The Three components Summary Empiricism asks, what is the evidence? Rationalism asks, what does the evidence mean? Skepticism asks, does the evidence (data) support the theory (model)

Scientific Thinking: The Three components (Rationalism) (Empiricism) Data Model (Skepticism)