Scientific Method Science philosophy involves itself in the methodology of science. Empirical knowledge – by observation - The Enlightenment (16-17 th C.)

Science can’t observe everything There is no causal relationship between an event and time Hume Thus science can’t ‘prove’ anything - All swans are white - All swans are white - Water always boils at 100 degrees

Science can’t prove anything Science can only ‘disprove’ things. -Falsification

Science Theory vs Science Reality

Scientific revolutions Thomas Kunh ( )

When there’s a conflict between observation & hypothesis - what do you do? 1. Reject the hypothesis 2. Reject the observation 3. Accept both and make an auxiliary hypothesis

Rationalist vs Empiricist Rationalists think reason is the main source of knowledge – thus they will support a beautiful theory Empiricists thinks experience is the main source of knowledge – thus they will usually follow the data

In reality scientists are a bit of both But unfortunately, this means that even falsification cannot 100% prove anything

Science vs Religion

Relativist attacks on science Science can’t prove anything - so it’s all just theory - so you can’t really know 100% for sure about anything, such as carbon dating, or evolution, or continental drift, or anything - so you can’t really be sure that God didn’t create the Earth 5000 years ago.

Scientific attacks on religion If there is a god, then prove it!

Dawkins vs God Science and Religion stomping all over each others’ turf

Histories naughty siblings Religion mis-uses relativism to claim all ways of knowing are equal Science mis-uses it’s dominant position to undermine other forms of knowing