...Over the past thousands of years natural science has been the focal point of scientific research, drawing in the world’s greatest minds as they attempt to solve the most puzzling and intriguing of questions. One such mind is Newton, who’s simple observations of an apple falling from a tree led to the recognition of one of the most remarkable scientific breakthroughs of our millennium, gravity. However, another field of science has emerged in recent times, the field of the humanistic sciences. While natural sciences concentrate on chemistry, physics, and biology, human sciences surround history, economics, anthropology, and psychology. However, as these fields attempt to answer age-old questions concerning human behaviour, and the laws of the world, it is easy to wonder to what extent we can accept their discoveries as fact. Furthermore, what causes these scientific fields to be so intuitively appealing? Finally, as the majority of research performed in both fields relies on observation, to what extent can we trust observations utilizing sense perception? And what are the limitations of this trust in our human sense perception? Despite these several questions, the natural sciences serves a significantly more convincing field than human sciences, as more scientific research can be validated and accepted as truth. Furthermore, the human sciences relies almost solely off perception of past events, or behaviour, which can be contorted by bias, as well as several other limiting factors...
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...Theory of Caring Science - - The nursing theory is essentially a set of beliefs, ideas, thought, and hypotheses that are influenced from former nursing representations that have a structured view of the purposes of nursing attempting to explain the correlation of each concept with predictability. (personal experience with nursing theory). This paper will address the core elements of Dr. Jean Watson’s theory of caring science. We will scrutinize the essential key concepts of the theory and its relationship with the other elements, emphasize its effects in a clinical situation, and how it views the nursing policies with definite personal examples. Nursing theories and having knowledge of the theories are important to any nurse. They serve as guides as to how a nurse should treat patients mentally and psychologically, aside from the structured education system a nurse goes through typically. Nursing theories predict and try to explain phenomenon that relates to nursing, giving nurses the necessary mindset to deal with clinical situations that are sometimes out of educational premises. It also provides them insight on what direction to take with their profession, if they pursue such a thing. It strengthens ideas that nurses already know, and encourages them to seek out knowledge of what they need to know. Most importantly, nursing theories also effectively enforce implied rules of professional boundaries between the nurses and their patients. The theory of caring science is...
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...[Background conversation] So Bucky died 30 years ago. And when he died everybody went Buckminster Fuller is dead and I went, “Wait a minute!” because I was working with the institute at the time, I went, “This is the guy who said, ‘death is yet --- [Background conversation] So Bucky Fuller 30 years --- [Background conversation] [0:01:47] So Bucky Fuller died 30 years ago and everybody went, “Bucky Fuller’s dead, we should wrap up all the stuff, put it in an archive.” And I went, “Wait a minute! This is the guy who said, ‘this is not me, this is yesterday’s breakfast. And when this is gone doesn’t mean I am gone, it means that you need to find other ways to communicate with me.’” And I actually just got an email yesterday from a woman who said, “Oh! I’ve been dreaming about Bucky Fuller and I actually saw him in the mall the other day.” And I am like, “Whoa! This is pretty interesting she’s in Australia.” And I think that his influence is like everywhere. [0:02:27] What I decided was that I was going to do -- that he had conducted a 56 year experiment to determine and document what one individual could achieve that could not be accomplished by any religion, government, organization of any kind. So it’s basically what one man can do and he documented it and I said, “Well, when somebody does an experiment, you don’t just archive it away. You actually examine it.” So that’s what I’d spent the last 30 years doing literally. And doing what he told us to do, which is what all...
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...Gender and the Biological Sciences Kathleen Okruhlik –Philosophy of science professor and Dean of Arts at Western. –This paper was published in 1994. –Offers a sophisticated feminist critique of the philosophy of science. Feminist critiques of biology are politically important Because biologically determinist arguments are often cited to ‘explain’ women’s oppression. E.g., genes, hormones, and evolution ‘explain’ why it is ‘natural’ for women to function in a socially subordinate role, why men are smarter and more aggressive than women, why women are designed to be homebodies, and why men rape. Thus, promoting a more equalitarian and just society is useless or counterproductive. Feminist critiques of biology are also epistemically important. Because of the status of biology among the sciences. Social sciences are often dismissed as not real sciences, so to criticise them is not as effective. But biology is not easily dismissed as a pseudo-science, and so to criticise it can teach us something about the nature of science (i.e., its rationality, objectivity, degree of insulation from social influences, etc.) Some cases studies: (1) gender and reproduction The Sleeping Beauty/Prince Charming model of the relationship between egg and sperm in reproduction. –Just as women are seen as passive and men as active, the egg and sperm are traditionally assigned these roles. –The sperm is the one doing all the work to get to the egg and penetrate it, while the egg merely ...
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...most commonly known for the goal of converting metals, such as lead, into gold. However, around the 17th and 18th century, alchemy’s relevance diminished as chemistry went on the rise during this time. With this decline of alchemy continuing, should alchemy be titled as a dead science, pseudoscience or to never actually be considered as a science? In recent history, chemistry emerged from alchemy, and ever since then alchemy was only a thing of the past. Ultimately, one classifies the practice of alchemy as no more than just a pseudoscience. Alchemy has been practice universally and has undergone multiple forms causing a lack of accuracy and clarity in its purpose. The practice of alchemy also revolved around the spiritual view of the world,...
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...Common Course in English 2011 Admission onwards HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE MODULE I & II Prepared by : House No. 21 “Pranaam” Keltron Nagar, Kolazhi, Thrissur Ms. GAYATHRI MENON .K MODULE III & IV Prepared by: Ms. SWAPNA M.S. Department of English K. K. T. M. Govt. College Pullut, Thrissur Dr. Anitha Ramesh K Associate Professor Department of English ZG College, Calicut © Reserved 2 Scrutinised by : Layout: Computer Section, SDE History and Philosophy of Science School of Distance Education Contents MODULE I ANCIENT HISTORY OF SCIENCE 1. Introduction 2. Origins of Scientific Enquiry 3. European Origins of Science 4. Contributions of Early India 5. Science in China 6. The role of Arabs in the History of Science MODULE 2 7. Science in the Middle Ages MODULE 3 MODERN SCIENCE 8. Newton and After 9. The Advancing Frontiers: Modern Medicine to Nanotechnology MODULE 4 PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE 10. Basic concepts in the Philosophy of Science 11. Some Issues in the Philosophy of Science Pages 5 10 17 24 31 36 44 53 64 79 88 History and Philosophy of Science 3 School of Distance Education History and Philosophy of Science 4 School of Distance Education MODULE 1 ANCIENT HISTORY OF SCIENCE UNIT – 1 INTRODUCTION Objectives This chapter will help you to: 1. Understand what is science 2. Understand...
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...– Principle of Sciences. WHAT IS SCIENCE? Science, for me is a word that was introduced to me when I was 10, back in class 4. I still remember my first science book and how enthusiastic I was when I brought it home. The very first chapter of the book was ‘Our Universe’; I was so fascinated by those aesthetic pictures of the galaxy, Milky Way and the nine planets that I almost had thought of becoming an astronomer. But, as I grew up, I realised that science was much more than I had thought of. It is not only limited to the incomprehensible galaxies, but, it is present everywhere, even within us. Everything we do involves science. At the age of 16, science for me was a fat textbook, which horrified me day and night. Science for me was white lab coats and microscopes, which I always had fascinated about. It was about numerous theories which are still argued upon. It was about Newton’s equations scribbled on a blackboard. At that age I was looking Science as a topic which took information from the past, to be analysed, processed and experimented in the present to make our future better. And when I was 17, I asked myself what science was, I looked at it as a subject, which I had to part with to pursue my dreams in the corporate world. But no, science is not just that. Science is my mother cooking luscious food; science is in my father’s archaic camera which has captured me as I have become an adolescent from an infant. Science is a way of discovering...
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...Life Span Perspective Life Span Perspective People are natural social creatures who progress through life by growth personally and physically. The life span development or science of human development follows the scientific method in order, to prove or disprove development theories. It will be described what life span development is and the purpose of human development. From there an understanding of two development theories will be explained. The theories are to give the reader and understanding of how scientists have tried to partly explain human development. This is also why heredity and environmental influences will also be examined, considering the theories place emphasis on both. The science of human development is “to understand how and why people—all kinds of people, everywhere—change or remain the same over time” (Berger, 2008. p. 3). Further, human development has three fundamentals that help define the study. The first is the science, as stated before the science of human life span development is based on the scientific method. Theories are hypothesized, data is collected on experiments or observation, the data reveals whether the hypothesis is correct or incorrect and form here scientists can determine what the conclusion means (Berger, 2008. p. 4). The second is diversity, in which considering the different kinds of people (Berger, 2008 p. 4). Studying the different people of all ages, race, and around the globe allows further compare and contrast of different...
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...Why Should People Hate Science? Science has conquered so many diseases and is promising to cure genetic diseases and even grow us new organs. It has given us mobile phones, tablets and computers that have reduced the global village to a global mall; and yet, there are people who still refuse to accept the power of science as the major agent of change in our society. Some people find it easier to believe that special people can cure serious diseases by simply placing their hands on the diseased, while others cannot accept the fact that human beings evolved from lower animals by a process of Natural Selection over billions of years. Locally, it is a no-brainer that the lack of science teaching at a primary level has had a negative lasting effect on people, and this can be seen in newspaper, radio and TV station editors, opinionists, politicians and talk-show hosts, all of which wield the power of mass media and can influence public opinion and what people think. Unfortunately, many of them are educating the masses in the concept of GIGO - Garbage In Garbage Out. GIGO is an interesting concept that refers to the fact that people are continously bombarded by pseudo-scientific and mistaken ideas, and eventually start believing their veracity and transmit them to others. These people are not necessarily uneducated individuals, but usually pick the information online and reinforce false opinions by choosing websites that agree with their views. For example, they follow...
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...to mind; how did it all come to be? Where did the blueprints for the molecular compound of living things, which works ever so perfectly in sync, come from? The ongoing debate on the creation of the universe usually falls under two categories: religious belief and scientific theories. I, too, have come to develop an untamed curiosity about this subject. I believe that there is middle ground that can be found between religion and science. Denying the existence of a supreme being and being inconsiderate of the field of science is irrational. Followers of religion construct the largest population in the world in comparison to...
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...resolve these conflicts philosophers came up with four theories. These theories include dualism, functionalism, behaviourism and mind-brain identity theory. Each theory has its own perspectives toward the mind body related conflicts. There are oppositions between each theories as well as similarities. The most creditable and criticized theory can be said to be the mind-brain theory. The mind-brain theory states that the mind and the brain are one thing with different terminology. “At a certain point in the history of science, it was discovered that water is made of H₂O molecules…same point applies to the relationship of mental terms and neurophysiologic terms” (Sober, p.257). The mind-brain theory is compared to the science, where in the past when there was limited knowledge about a certain fact and how it was developed and changed dramatically over time like water and its molecular formula. By referring to the science, the mind-brain identity theory states that the current knowledge obtained to date is only limited and cannot prove the relationship of mind and the brain with facts. Since there is limited knowledge regarding this issue, as more knowledge is obtained through time, the mind-brain identity theory states that the relationship will be proven based on the future facts about the mind and the brain where it will show that they are one object with two different terminologies. Another part of the mind-brain theory states there are only physical properties and mental...
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...institutional approaches of the natural world changed science into our view of modern science. Although the revolution happened at the same time as Christianity flourished it did not yet obstruct the course of science revolution. The developments of science has transformed individual views of society and nature. The following figure fit this criteria exactly. Isaac Newton is known as one of the greatest figures in scientific revolution. Isaac Newton known as English scientist and mathematician in the 1600’s in England. He contributed and specialized in the branch of physic in Science. His major achievements were arranged the foundation for modern physical. Firstly, Newton invented the binominal theorem of a mathematical theories. Which...
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...ACE8001: What do we mean by Research? & Can we hope to do genuine Social Science Research (David Harvey) What do we mean by research? What might characterise good research practice? There is no point in us trying to re-invent the wheel - other and probably more capable people than us have wrestled with this problem before us, and it makes good sense and is good practice to learn what they have discovered. In other words - we need to explore more reliable and effective methods and systems for the pursuit of research than we have been doing so far. What is research? Dictionary Definitions of Research: * "The act of searching closely or carefully for or after a specified thing or person" * "An investigation directed to discovery of some fact by careful study of a subject" * "A course of scientific enquiry" (where scientific = "producing demonstrative knowledge") Howard and Sharp (HS) define research as: "seeking through methodical processes to add to bodies of knowledge by the discovery or elucidation of non-trivial facts, insights and improved understanding of situations, processes and mechanisms". [Howard, K. and Sharp, J.A. The Management of a student research project, Gower, 1983 - a useful and practical “how to do it” guide] Two other, more recent guides are: Denscombe, Martyn, 2002, Ground rules for good research: a 10 point guide for social research, Open University Press. Robinson Library Shelf Mark: 300.72 DEN, Level 3 (several copies)...
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...AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE IN 10 MODULES E. Kolawole Ogundowole, Ph.D., D.Sc. Professor & Head of Philosophy Department University of Lagos. Akoka, Lagos. Nigeria Correct Counsels Limited Research. Counselling. Publishing. Book Supply First published 2003 Correct Counsels Ltd. P. O. Box 53 Akoka, Lagos. C E. Kolawole Ogundowole, 2003 ISBN: 978 -37004 - 0 – 5 This book is copyright. All rights reserved under the Copyright La Enquiries should be addressed to the Publishers. Printed in Nigeria by: Mustard Press Enterprises 16, Ogundola Street Sungas-BAriga. PREFACE A few words about the overall objectives of the course is appropriate as a starting point. Historically, philosophy was the first form of theoretical knowledge. As a rational theoretical tool of comprehending the world, philosophy arose in ancient Greece in stiff battle with mythology and religious consciousness. It came out to lay the foundation for the evolvement of scientific consciousness and the emergence and development of the sciences - Mathematics, Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, etc. In an environment rife with various and varying superstitions and myths, the study of the History of Science and Philosophy of Science becomes crucial, lest science itself falls within the ambit of mythology and superstition and becomes another form of myth even in the hands of the tutored. The study of the History of Science is particularly important...
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...What does the average person think when they hear that an idea is supported by science? Often, it makes people assume that this idea must be objectively true, and will necessarily be more right than a theory that doesn’t have the backing of “science.” While in many cases, objective science really does produce better results than mere conjecture, there have also been influential movements in history that were justified by “science,” but which we see today as unjustifiable. These include biometrical methods like phrenology and craniology, the empirical definitions of racial difference in the 19th century, and the “scientifically” racist ideology of the Nazis, among many others. In many of these situations, biology has been used to support conceptions that were already accepted in the society of the time. However, they seemed stronger with scientific support, even if the scientific support was weak enough that it was eventually proven to be untrue. Considering this, why were these “scientific” conclusions seen as objective when, with the benefit of hindsight, it is clear that they were not? Additionally, why did the supporters of these ideologies want to use science as support? If science were seen as merely a collection of useless knowledge, it would not have been relied upon in the way that it was, so it is clear that the scientific method was trusted to add some additional level of truth to the given conclusions. The interactions between these systems of classifying groups...
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