SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE 8 th Science Advanced Scientific Knowledge

SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE 8 th Science Advanced

Scientific Knowledge • Science is not a list of facts and information to be memorized! – Scientific knowledge grows and changes as new understanding evolves • Scientific explanations are based on EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE. – Cumulative body of observations of a natural phenomenon

Scientific Knowledge • SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE is the result of: –Continuous Testing and Observation –Debate (argumentation) –Confirmation (repetition and replication) • So, what happens when the majority of the science community agrees on an idea?

CONSENSUS • The scientific community tries to reach a CONSENSUS, or general agreement. –Through scientific confirmation (repetition & replication) • Does NOT mean we “confirm” that we got the right answer!

Science CANNOT Prove • Scientific knowledge is open to change – Science cannot “prove” an explanation • This eliminates the possibility for change • Scientific knowledge (conclusions/theories) is SUPPORTED by EVIDENCE but remains TENTATIVE (open to change).

SCIENTIFIC THEORIES • A scientific THEORY is a heavily-tested and well-supported EXPLANATION of a natural phenomenon. – A theory is different from a law…a theory will never become a law, nor is it intended to. • LAW – DESCRIBES WHAT happens • THEORY – EXPLAINS WHY it happens

SCIENTIFIC THEORIES • Because theories are heavily-tested and well-supported: – Theories are RARELY discarded or abandoned • They are continuously tested • They are modified or expanded to account for new evidence – Scientific theories represent our BEST EXPLANATIONS for natural phenomena

SCIENTIFIC MODELS • Representation of an object, idea, or process • Scientists often use MODELS as a tool to understand an object or idea. – 3 -D representation – 2 -D diagram – Physical Analogy – Theoretical Analogy or Metaphor

Scientific Models • BENEFITS – Money – Safety – Opportunity/Convenience – Communication • LIMITATIONS – Can Create Misconceptions – Can Introduce Error – Often Based on Assumptions

So…What IS Science? • SCIENCE is a limited discipline that studies only naturally occurring events, while offering natural explanations for the phenomenon under study. • The characteristics of science: - Consistent - Predictable - Observable - Testable - Natural - Tentative ØCONPTT

Our “Tool Box” • We have many “tools” we use to understand our lives/world – Science is ONE of these tools, along with art, philosphy, religion, etc…it is not always the RIGHT tool… • Science is about questioning – asking questions, searching for answers, discovering new questions • Science is limited in what it can help us understand – Just like some tools are useful for some jobs, but not others

What are the Limits of Science? • Science Cannot: – Answer questions about the supernatural world or understand matters of faith, artistic expression, feeling, etc…(untestable or unobservable, subjective) • Science Can: – Investigate questions about the NATURAL world and explain observable/testable topics

What are the Limits of Science? • Science Cannot: – “Prove” an idea • Science Can: – Provide evidence that supports or disputes an idea and offers a tentative explanation

What are the Limits of Science? • Science Cannot: – Disregard evidence or assume outcomes without testing • Science Can: – Offer explanations to make sense of the empirical evidence and predict likely outcomes

Identifying “PSEUDOSCIENCE” • PSEUDOSCIENCE refers to areas of study that may make use of scientific concepts but whose conclusions and explanations do not exhibit the characteristics of science (CONPTT). – Examples