Biological Anthropology the nature of science. Some Terms used in Science Hypothesis: a statement...
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Transcript of Biological Anthropology the nature of science. Some Terms used in Science Hypothesis: a statement...
BiologicalAnthropology
the nature of science
Some Terms used in Science
• Hypothesis: a statement that potentially explains specific phenomena – must be falsifiable
• Data: evidence that helps answer questions and problems
• Empirical: referring to data obtained through observations and/or experimentation
• Theory: a set of hypotheses – explanatory principles – that have not (yet) been falsified
Science is …
a process that develops provisional truths
That is, “truths” that may one day be replaced by better “truths”
Science is not…
a process that develops absolute truths
That is, TRUTHS that may not be questioned and can never be corrected or improved upon
Two Assumptions of Science
1) You explain natural phenomena only by referring to other natural phenomena
Methodological materialism
2) If two models both explain the data, use the simplest (unless you have a reason not to)
OCCAM’S RAZOR
(which is NOT the same as Philosophical Materialism)
Science can be understood as
a process of “modeling” reality
reality
A Theory Emerges
the first model
does not explain some aspects of its
focus
predictsoutcomes that will not occur
x + 1 = y
Science Advances
a second, “better” model
unexplained phenomena
predicted, but not “real”
x2 + 2z = 0
Comprehension Increases
another, even “better” model
predicted,but not“real”
unexplainedphenomena
Science as the Quest for
ever “better” models
Is there
a “perfect” model?
explainsall phenomena
that do exist
predictsnothing
that doesnot exist
Not yet…
Science as arevolutionary process
“normal” science
anomalies
scientific “revolution”
The Copernican Revolution
the shift from a geocentric
(“earth-centered”)
to
a heliocentric(“sun-centered”)
model of the solar system
Geocentric Worldview
• Earth was immobile
• All celestial objects revolve around the earth•Sun•Moon•(fixed) stars•Planets, comets, etc.
• Aristotelian physics divided the heavenly region from the earthly region(= perfection vs. corruption)
Science takes place in a Social Context• Geocentrism was central to early Christianity
• Universe created for humans• Humans are the reason for creation
• Challenging the geocentric view was heresy
• Heresy was a very serious offense
The Retrograde Mystery
Two Different Explanations
The Geocentric ViewThe Heliocentric
View
Different celestial objects move in very different ways
The Earth moves in the same way as other celestial objects
Nicholas Copernicus
• 1473-1543
• Physician, lawyer, church administrator
• De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium (“On the Revolutions of the Celestial Orbs”) published in 1543
Heliocentric Worldview
• the planets all move in a similar manner
• Heliocentrism
• makes fewer assumptions
• has greater applicability
• the movements of celestial objects can be explained and predicted
Retrograde Mars (and Uranus)Credit & Copyright: Tunc Tezel
But acceptance was slow, asheliocentrism seemed absurd
• If the earth is moving, how can a stone that is thrown straight up come straight down?
• If the earth is a planet, why is it the only one with a moon?
• If the earth did move, why did the relative positions of the stars not (why would space be that big?)
Galileo Galilei
• Born 1564
• Begins studies at University of Pisa in 1581
• 1592 – appointed professor of mathematics at University of Padua
Galileo Galilei
• 1609 – makes his first telescope
• Discovers• Sunspots• Rings of Saturn• Phases of Venus• Satellites of Jupiter
Galileo’s notes of his observations ofJupiter and its moons; January 1610
Galileo Galilei
• Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems (1633)
• Condemned by the Roman
Inquisition in 1633
• Under house arrest from 1633 until his death in 1642
Galileo Galilei
1979 - Pope John Paul II orders a review of the case against Galileo
1984 - Initial report states that Galileo was wrongly condemned
1989 – Pope acknowledges “imprudent” action of Church
Science as arevolutionary process
“normal” science – sun goes around earth
anomalies – planetos
the “revolution” – earth goes around sun
Another Scientific Revolution
Antoni van Leeuwenhoek(1632-1723)
Some of van Leeuwenhoek’ instruments(replicas)
The first image of microbes (1683)(the dotted line between C and D indicates motility)
Spermatozoa by van Leeuwenhoekoriginally published in
Philosophical Transactions, 1678-9
Van Leeuwenhoek’s Work would ultimately lead to
Robert Koch(1843-1910)
Louis Pasteur(1822-1895)
Joseph Lister(1827-1912)
the discovery that microscopic organisms can cause illness and death
Things to remember
• Scientific discovery is driven by the community of scientists; they actively look for problems with theories
• Scientific discoveries often contradict cherished notions of what the world is like
• Scientific truths are provisional, as better models are continually being pursued
• Science is a self-correcting process