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Experiment as an Adequate Basis for Science

The way in which a scientific theory is formed, is just as fallible.

Scientific

Theory

Experimental

Results

Process

of

Appeal

Experiment

The Production and Updating of Experimental Results

Experimental results are defective if the knowledge about experimental factors is defective.

Scientific results are fallible

  • Advances in technology
  • Advance in understanding
  • Shift in theoretical understanding

Experiment

Experiment as an Adequate Basis for Science

Fallible:

Human observation

Experimental results

Theoretical knowledge

Common societal goal?

Expand the Collective Knowledge

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The physical world determines the results of an experiment, not the theories they are based on.

Experiment

The Production & Updating of Experimental Results

Creating an experiment with accurate results . . .

a grueling and time consuming endeavor

  • Educated in the science
  • Analysis and reconstruction
  • Technology available
  • Evaluation

Experiment

Not Just Facts but Relevant Facts

  • Lab-based experiments
  • Experimental design
  • Observation of experimental process
  • Observation of results

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Experiment

Not Just Facts but Relevant Facts

“Do the statements that we assume can be established by observation constitute the facts from which scientific knowledge can be derived?”

Scientific Knowledge

Relevant Facts

Irrelevant Facts

Lesser in well-studied?

Greater in new sciences?

Your Thoughts??

  • What is your opinion on Chalmers' claim that science is fallible?
  • What might this mean for your worldview?
  • . . .

Galileo & the Moons of Jupiter

  • Galileo and the moons of Jupiter

  • Nicolaus Copernicus and his Copernican Theory

  • Blank Slate Theory

Observation as Practical Intervention

Observable Facts: Objective but Fallible

  • Observable Facts are theories that can be criticized, and evaluated with the observer's sense and they can be approved

  • Observable facts are still fallible and vulnerable to change because of their constant revisions.

Observation as Practical Intervention

Observation: Passive & Private OR Active & Public?

Passive or Private observation

  • Information that we acquire and process from our own eyes, and our own understanding.

  • It is evaluated by our own senses.

  • Is it of value or not to consider these observations in the world of science?

Observation as Practical Intervention

Observation: Passive & Private OR Active & Public

  • Active and Public Observation

  • Information can be understood, evaluated, and tested by others.

  • Ex: Robert Hooke's and Henry Power's statements about the eye structure of insects.

Observation as Practical Intervention

Observable Facts Expressed as Statements

Facts are statements rather than the state of affairs as described by those statements.

"There are mountains and craters on the moon".

This fact is derived from the knowledge we have about mountains and craters rather than knowledge about the surface of the moon.

Science as Knowledge Derived From the Facts of Experience

The Fallibility of Observations

The Fallibility of Observation Statements

What we perceive from our senses is different.

If knowledge is fallible, facts are fallible thereby saying that observations are fallible.

  • Galileo, Venus, and Mars.

  • Observable basis of science is not straightforward and as secure as is assumed.

Science as Knowledge Derived From the Facts of Experience

In Conclusion . . .

Science as Knowledge Derived From the Facts of Experience

  • Science is based on subjective observation, current knowledge and theories, and technology available

  • Science may continue to improve, but science may never represent absolute truth.

Visual Experiences Not Determined Solely by the Object Viewed

Visual Experiences Not Determined Solely by the Object Viewed

Why Should Facts Precede Theory?

A Widely Held Commonsense View of Science

Science as Knowledge Derived From the Facts of Experience

  • An expert in a field has a greater understanding of what they are perceiving.

  • "Experiences are not uniquely given and unchanging but vary with the knowledge [, experiences] and expectations of the observer" (Chalmers, 2013, p.8).
  • Prior knowledge is needed

.

  • Observations are used to form statements.

  • Significant observations require knowledge.

Science as Knowledge Derived From the Facts of Experience

  • 17th Century and Science.

  • "Science is derived from the facts".

  • Empiricists and Positivists.

  • Facts require unprejudiced use of the senses.

  • Chalmers and "Science is derived from the facts".

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Science as Knowledge Derived From the Facts of Experience

Seeing is Believing

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Observable Facts Expressed as Statements

A person must have prior knowledge of a topic in order to properly understand how to use a fact.

  • Child learning how to speak: Apple
  • Botany
  • Eyes are like a camera.

  • People have direct access to knowledge of basic facts.

  • Two people viewing an object will 'see' the same thing.

Science as Knowledge Derived From the Facts of Experience

Science as Knowledge Derived From the Facts of Experience

Visual Experiences Not Determined Solely by the Object Viewed

  • Perceptual experiences (e.g. vision) are not uniquely determined by a single event (e.g. image on the retinas).

  • We see what we have learned.

Science as Knowledge Derived From the Facts of Experience

A Widely Held Commonsense View of Science

THREE components of the basis of science.

  • "Facts are directly given to careful, unprejudiced observations via the senses.

  • Facts are prior to and independent of theory.

  • Facts constitute a firm and reliable foundation for scientific knowledge'. (Chalmers, 2013, p.4).

Science as Knowledge Derived From the Facts of Experience

Introduction

  • The vital role of current and past scientific knowledge, active observation and experiments.

  • Multiple Axioms are compiled to form a theory

  • Challenges the notion that true statements form theories.

References

Understanding the Development of Scientific Theory

  • BioSpectrum. (2013, October 11). Network verification challenge to map bio networks Retrieved from http://www.biospectrumasia.com/biospectrum/news/198073/network-verification-challenge-map-bio-networks
  • Chalmers, A. F. (2013) What is this thing called science?. Indianapolis, IN: Hackett
  • Delisle, R. (2016, September). Scientific Knowledge Across Disciplines. [LBED 2850- A Lecture    Notes]. University of Lethbridge. Department of Liberal Education. Lethbridge, AB.  
  • Hara, N. (n.d) Social construction of scientific Knowledge. Retrieved from http://norikohara.org/science/index.html
  • Lawson, A. (1988) The acquisition of biological knowledge during childhood: Conflict or tabula rasa? Journa Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 25,185-199.
  • Mickens, R. E., & Patterson, C. (2016). What is Science? Georgia Journal of Science, 74(2),    D1-D5. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1780940062?accountid=12063
  • Pardo, P. J., Pérez, A. L., & Suero, M. I. (2007). An example of sex-linked color vision differences. Color Research & Application, 32(6), 433-439. doi:10.1002/col.20354

Sandra Cubides, Micah Plomp, & Kayla Lochhead

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