Nature of Science

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Nature of Science

• AndLimits of Science

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What is Science?

• BIO 152/152Tool (ie process, methodology) for
  investigating the natural world, the physical
  universe, and the knowledge gained by this
  process

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Definition of Science

• Science is the study of the natural world that
  includes observable and measurable phenomena
  within the universe.
• (Ohio Academy of Science)

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Characteristics of the Methodology

• Starts with observation direct or indirect(our
  senses!)
• Defines a question/problem
• Must be testable
• Must be measurable
• Phenomenon must be repeatable

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Question

• Is the question/problem ofDo blondes have more
  fun? within the realm of science?

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Question

• Is religion within the realm of science?
• Historical evidence of religious
  figures?(existance of Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha,
  Francis of Assisi, etc?)
• Religious beliefs?

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Limits to Science

• Inherent uncertainty always present There is
  no such thing as proof.
• WHY???

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Inherent Uncertainty Why?

• False hypotheses can yield true
  predictions!(Both true and false hypothesis can
  yield true predictions!)
• Truth TableHypothesis ? ? Prediction
• True ? True
• False ? or ? False

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Inherent Uncertainty Why?

• Science starts with observation however, our
  senses cannot always be trusted!

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Can we Trust our Senses?(Which line is longer
red or blue?)
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Can we Trust our Senses?

• What is this a picture of?
  

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Can we Trust our Senses?
Stare at this image

• This slide is NOT animated!

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Limits of Science

• Inherent uncertainty always present There is
  no such thing as proof.
• Can only investigate natural world? Can not
  provide answers to questions of value, ultimate
  reality, ethics, afterlife, etc
• Limited by funding.
• Limited by personal biases of scientist.
• Limited by cultural biases of given society

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A Limit of ScienceCultural Bias

• Who was Dr. McClintock?
• Skull study