Biology, Biologists, and Society

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Biology, Biologists, and Society
What is science?
Science is a way of knowing based on experimental
or observational evidence and its interpretation.
Science is a discipline largely defined by its
primary method the scientific method.
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Two Primary Approaches to Science
Hypothesis-driven or experimental science.
Discovery or observational science.
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How (Most) Science Works The Scientific Method
and Hypothesis-Driven Science
Its not all mechanics - intuition, hunches, and a
feel for the system under study drive scientific
investigations.
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A Classic Application of the Scientific Method
Note that its fine to have more than one
testable hypothesis.
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A Classic Application of the Scientific Method
Note that two independent experiments reject the
hypothesis of spontaneous generation and support
the alternative hypothesis that life comes only
from existing life.
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Scientific Proof?
Rejection of a hypothesis proves it wrong
support of a hypothesis doesnt prove it right.
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• Is carbonation bad for your bones?

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Some Scientific Questions Cant Be Answered By
Experimentation

• Discovery or observational science is still
  science falsifiable hypotheses based on natural
  phenomenon are proposed to best account for
  observations.

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Provisional Assent Scientific Ideas Can Only Be
Proven Wrong
A theory stands because observations or
experimentation never proves its tenets wrong.
This doesnt prove the theory is correct only
that its never been proved wrong.
In this sense, scientific knowledge is
provisional.
But whats a theory?
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Fact, Hypothesis and Theory
These terms, especially theory, are commonly
misunderstood.
A fact is an undisputed piece of information
derived from observation.
A hypothesis is a testable prediction.
A good hypothesis should be falsifiable.
A theory is a general set of principles that
explain some natural phenomenon.
Examples of scientific theories are the theory of
gravitation, the atomic theory, the cell theory,
and the theory of evolution.
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What Kind of People Are Scientists?
The Textbook Case Scientists are dispassionate
and always reasoned in their approaches to their
discipline and the world around them.
Reality Scientists can be egocentric, emotional
nutcakes at least as well as anyone.
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One Human Side of Science
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How Does Society Understand Biology and
Biologists?
Science and scientists of all kinds are poorly
understood by the public and scientists tend to
poorly understand the public
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The Scope and Limitations of Science (REVIEW)
Science acquires knowledge through examination of
falsifiable hypotheses based on natural
phenomena.
This sets a limit on science science cannot
speak directly to such issues as morality or
religion.
The domain and limit of science are often
misunderstood.
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What Does Biology Offer Society?
Lots in terms of medicine, agriculture,
maintaining a healthy environment, and basic
understanding of ourselves and our world.
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LEVELS
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LIFE (Are you alive?)

• 1.
• 2.
• 3.
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• 6.
• 7.

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The Scope and Limitations of Science Are More
Than An Academic Issue
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The Scope and Limitations of Science Are More
Than An Academic Issue
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The Scope and Limitations of Science Are More
Than An Academic Issue
Summary points of the December 20, 2005
Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District ruling
Is this the final word on evolution and
alternatives in the classroom?
Hardly.
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The Scope of Biology
Biology and its study are arranged hierarchically.
New properties (emergent properties) arise at
each level of organization.
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Evolution Is Biologys Unifying Principle
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• EVOLUTION

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