Nature of Science

Science is a process by which we try to understand how the natural world works

Science assumes that: The world is real. This means that the physical universe exists apart from our sensory perception of it.

None of this:

Science assumes that: Humans can perceive the physical universe. How do we do this?

Science only deals with the natural world Only things that can be directly or indirectly perceived by the senses What is an example of indirectly perceiving something with our senses?

Which of the following can be currently investigated by science? Earthquakes Witchcraft The origin of species Viruses Love Astrology Angels Ghosts Unicorns Cells Souls Beautiful sunset Rainbows God Dinosaur bones A murder not seen

A confirmed, or at least agreed-upon empirical observation. Scientific FACT: A confirmed, or at least agreed-upon empirical observation.

IS ISN’T Limited to the natural world Observable Testable Measurable Repeatable Modifiable Verifiable Built upon testable prediction Based on experimentation Open to change Biased Disprovable Objective Strong theories inferred from solid evidence Made stronger by different lines of evidence A search for understanding Based on proof Based on belief Based on authority Decided by debate or law Search for truth Certain Fair Able to solve all problems A collection of facts Democratic Absolute Rigid

Pseudoscience is a claim or practice that appears to be scientific but does not adhere to the principles of science.

Would you consider the evidence presented by the Flat Earth Documentary to be scientific or pseudoscientific?

A Pseudoscientific idea: Relativitism is the idea that all explanations are equally valid and worthy, therefore the right idea is simply a matter of opinion

Science uses comparative critical thinking to evaluate hypothesis and explanations The better explanation: Is more consistent with known natural processes Accounts for more data Has more reliable or greater predictive power Accounts for previously unexplained or puzzling phenomena Has fewer anomalies or exceptions left unexplained Is simpler and less complicated (Occam’s Razor) Provides a fertile field for further research

agree or disagree and why? A hypothesis is sometimes a prediction and sometimes an educated guess.

tentative (falsifiable). IMPORTANT IDEA!!!! A hypothesis is a proposed explanation of observable phenomena that is testable and tentative (falsifiable).

Which of the following are proper hypotheses? People who smoke will get cancer. If I study every day, then I will get an A in biology. Red is the prettiest color. If I add fertilizer to some tomato plants and not to others, then the ones with fertilizer will grow faster. Plant growth may be affected by the color of light to which plants are exposed. The vertebrate eye was designed by an intelligent being

agree or disagree and why? Evolution is “just a theory”, so you shouldn’t give it much credence.

IMPORTANT IDEA!!!! A scientific use of the word theory is very different from the everyday (non-scientific) use of the word. Everyday use: You know how Mr. Muzny acts oddly and occasionally bumps into things? I have a theory that he is really a giant puppet controlled by thousands of tiny spiders.

In science: A theory is a comprehensive explanation for natural phenomena that is supported by laws, facts, tested hypotheses and inferences, and has predictive power.

Atomic Theory Gravitation Germ Theory Evolution Some Theories: Atomic Theory Gravitation Germ Theory Evolution

agree or disagree and why? Nothing in science is ever proven right so it is a waste of our time.

agree or disagree and why? I believe in evolution.