What is Science?

What is Science
• Miia Rannikmae ( appendix 1 )
Some Assumptions about Science
A. THE WORLD IS REAL. In other words, the physical universe
really does exists, apart from our sensory perception of it.
B. HUMANS CAN PERCEIVE AND UNDERSTAND the physical
universe. In other words, we can learn correctly how the natural
world works and operates.
C. NATURAL PROCESSES (empirically-accessible processes)
are SUFFICIENT to explain, or account for natural phenomena
or events. In other words, scientists must explain the natural in
terms of the natural.
D. SCIENTISTS ASSUME THAT NATURE "OPERATES"
UNIFORMLY in both space and time (unless we have evidence
to the contrary). This is known as the PRINCIPLE OF
UNIFORMITY.
Aspects of the Nature of Science
It is Tentative
Scientific knowledge is subject to change with
new observations and with the reinterpretations
of existing observations.
.
Aspects of the Nature of Science
It is Empirical
Scientific knowledge is based on and/or
derived from observations of the natural
world.
Scientists collect evidence by conducting
investigations.
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Inferences
Nature of Science
Inferences are interpretations of those
observations.
Perspectives of current science and the
scientist guide both observations and
inferences.
It is Socially and Culturally Embedded
Science is a human endeavour and is influenced by
the society and culture in which it is practiced.
The values of the culture determine what and how
science is conducted, interpreted, accepted, and
utilised.
Illusions
Science is Creative
• Do you see the face
Or an Eskimo
Scientific knowledge is created from human
imaginations and logical reasoning.
This creation is based on observations and
inferences of the natural world.
.
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Science has Laws and Theories
• But are theories and laws connected Does
a theory become a law when we have
enough evidence NO
• Laws describe relationships, observed or
perceived, of phenomena in nature.
• Theories are inferred explanations for natural
phenomena and mechanisms for relationships
among natural phenomena.
• Hypotheses (in school science often called
predictions) may lead to either theories or laws
with enough supporting evidence and
acceptance in the scientific community.
Science is Subjective
• Although scientific investigation strives for
objectivity and reproducability, it cannot escape
the human nature of the investigators.
• The development of questions, investigations,
and interpretations of data are filtered through
the lens of current accepted theories and laws.
Traditional v Contemporary Model of
Theories in the Nature of Science
1. Theories are based
directly on observation.
2. New theories are
improvements over old
theories because
observations improve
and increase over time.
3. An entire theory is
falsified if subject to a
single contradictory
fact.
1. Observations are theory
laden.
2. Theories are the
inventions of scientists.
3. The occurrence of a
contradictory fact does
not necessarily compel
the abandonment of a
theory.
Nature of Science
Would you accept that Science involves:
• Creating Hypotheses
• Undertaking Observations
• Drawing Inferences
• Developing Theories
• Recognising Laws
And would you accept that science involves
them in this order
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