Overview of Knowing Rabbit Stew DefinitionsTerminology Direct Experience

Overview of “Knowing” Rabbit Stew Definitions/Terminology

� Direct Experience? � Other sources? �Authority �Tradition � How is scientific knowledge different from other ways of knowing stuff?

� Scientific Knowledge �Logical �Supported � Science by EMPERICAL evidence is… �Causal �Probabilistic Be careful of pointing out the “isolated exception”

� The trouble with humans �Inaccurate observations �Overgeneralization �Selective observation �Illogical reasoning � HOW DOES SCIENCE GUARD AGAINST THESE PROBLEMS?

� Premodern � Modern � Postmodern

� Theory �A formal statement of how two or more concepts relate � Theory is different from… �Belief or philosophy �“Normative” versus “Empirical” The Death Penalty as an example

� Variables �Literally, something that “varies” �Typically used to lump individuals into particular groups Examples? � Attributes �Specific levels or values under a particular variable � Typically: Concept Variable Attributes

� Idiographic vs. nomothetic � Induction vs. deduction � Qualitative vs. quantitative � Pure vs. applied

� All resources are NOT CREATED EQUAL �Should a Time Magazine article be treated the same as a article in the journal Criminology? �Should a statement made on a web site be given the same weight as one made in a published book?

� Accuracy � Authority � Objectivity � Currency