Science Defined

John V. Aliff, Georgia Perimeter College, Lawrenceville, GA 30043

PresentationPresentation Georgia Academy of ScienceGeorgia Academy of Science

Annual MeetingAnnual Meeting Berry College, Rome, GA, Mar. 26, 2004Berry College, Rome, GA, Mar. 26, 2004

What is science?

Is it this? Is it this? Does Does

sciencescience

finally provefinally prove

anything?anything?

Science defined

A popular view of science is that it is any A popular view of science is that it is any systematic approach, expounded withsystematic approach, expounded with

technical jargon. technical jargon.

A professional view of the definition of science is A professional view of the definition of science is that it is a rigorous, systematic use of observations that it is a rigorous, systematic use of observations and logic to attempt to support or falsify possible and logic to attempt to support or falsify possible explanations of natural phenomena.explanations of natural phenomena.

Science is a way of doing things, a way of thinking. Science starts with observations of happenings in Science starts with observations of happenings in

nature.nature. The word hypothesis means “less than a good The word hypothesis means “less than a good

explanation.” explanation.” In order to be scientific, the hypothesis must be In order to be scientific, the hypothesis must be

testable and falsifiable – able to be proven (sort testable and falsifiable – able to be proven (sort of) or disproved. of) or disproved.

A supernatural hypothesis is not testable or A supernatural hypothesis is not testable or falsifiable.falsifiable.

There are two types of science.

Experimental – the experiments must have Experimental – the experiments must have a control group. The control group has all a control group. The control group has all the characteristics or conditions of the the characteristics or conditions of the experimental group except one.experimental group except one.

Every tentative explanation or a hypothesis Every tentative explanation or a hypothesis must be natural, testable and falsifiable.must be natural, testable and falsifiable.

Observational science

Natural phenomena are described using Natural phenomena are described using mathematical descriptions.mathematical descriptions.

Mathematical descriptions from Mathematical descriptions from observations or experiments can tested observations or experiments can tested using a method called statistics.using a method called statistics.

Statistics always compares experimental or Statistics always compares experimental or observational mathematical data to numbers observational mathematical data to numbers resulting from random events. resulting from random events.

A hypothesis is less than a theory. Confirmed hypotheses become points of Confirmed hypotheses become points of

information within a theory.information within a theory.

See See McComas, William, Ten myths of McComas, William, Ten myths of science: Reexamining what we think we science: Reexamining what we think we know...., Vol. 96, School Science & know...., Vol. 96, School Science & Mathematics, 01-01-1996.Mathematics, 01-01-1996.

Science is different from religion.

Science and religion have different methods Science and religion have different methods of discovery and different goals.of discovery and different goals.

ComparisonComparison ReligionReligion ScienceScience

Method of Method of KnowledgeKnowledge

RevelationRevelation Scientific MethodScientific Method

Thought Thought processprocess

Intuition and FaithIntuition and Faith Rational or logical – Rational or logical – induction and induction and deduction of testable deduction of testable hypotheseshypotheses

ObjectivesObjectives Explain the Explain the supernatural. supernatural. Explain purpose of Explain purpose of existence. State existence. State morals and derive morals and derive ethics.ethics.

Explain natural Explain natural phenomenaphenomena

(Creationism labels (Creationism labels this naturalism and this naturalism and rejects it.)rejects it.)

Theories are valuable! Theories are general ideas supported by lots of evidence. In science, Theories are general ideas supported by lots of evidence. In science,

don’t confuse a theory with a hypothesis.don’t confuse a theory with a hypothesis.

A theory predicts new observations of phenomena and frames new A theory predicts new observations of phenomena and frames new hypotheses.hypotheses.

Nuclear power and radiation therapies were developed from a theory of Nuclear power and radiation therapies were developed from a theory of atomic energyatomic energy

in theoretical physics.in theoretical physics.

Evolution theory explains antibiotic resistance and the Evolution theory explains antibiotic resistance and the appearance of new stains of viruses, e.g., A.I.D.S. (HIV) and appearance of new stains of viruses, e.g., A.I.D.S. (HIV) and influenza; and how to find oil.influenza; and how to find oil.

There are no final answers in science. Knowledge is infinite. Atoms are infinitely Knowledge is infinite. Atoms are infinitely

small and the universe is infinitely large. small and the universe is infinitely large. We can never know anything completely.We can never know anything completely.

Scientists learn from failure.Watson and Crick made the first model of DNA, Watson and Crick made the first model of DNA, the chemical of genes – wrong that is!the chemical of genes – wrong that is!

They got it right on the next attempt.They got it right on the next attempt.

Debate and revision of ideas in science is a natural Debate and revision of ideas in science is a natural process. Even as scientists debate the processes of process. Even as scientists debate the processes of evolution, the vast majority accept that it has evolution, the vast majority accept that it has happened. Debate is not evidence that the theory happened. Debate is not evidence that the theory of evolution is fatally flawed.of evolution is fatally flawed.

Scientists are known by their discoveries. Scientists are constantly searching to Scientists are constantly searching to

observe and explain something new about observe and explain something new about nature. Sometimes they review an old nature. Sometimes they review an old concept, modify the theory or get rid of it;concept, modify the theory or get rid of it;

e.g., the theory of spontaneous generation of e.g., the theory of spontaneous generation of cells and organisms. cells and organisms.

Values of science

Reliable explanations, cures for diseases, Reliable explanations, cures for diseases, design of cars and buildings, devices.design of cars and buildings, devices.

The best explanations are available at a The best explanations are available at a given point in history/time.given point in history/time.

Conclusion: Science and Religion are not in conflict. This is the published position of the This is the published position of the

National Academy of Sciences.National Academy of Sciences. http://www.nap.edu/catalog/5787.htmlhttp://www.nap.edu/catalog/5787.html

Both have value. Religion informs one on Both have value. Religion informs one on ethics, morals and purpose of existence. ethics, morals and purpose of existence. Science can only explain natural Science can only explain natural phenomena. phenomena.