Philosophy: Scientific Method and Normal Science
Desiree Carter
Philosophy 303- Principles of Inquiry: Ways of Knowing
Assignment #4
1.
1. What is the difference between science and technology?
As Schick and Vaughn described in chapter 6, “Science seeks to understand the general principles that govern the universe – not to produce gadgets” (p.165). Science and technology hold many similarities with a fine line to decipher between the two; however they are both very different with their own meaning(s). Science is definitely used when it comes to processing and manufacturing these types of items, technological devices, but is not the ultimate goal that is held by science. Ultimately, knowledge is what drives us to produce science and technology is driven to produce the manufactured goods. 2. What is the function of the scientific method?
Scientists use the scientific method primarily to gain knowledge about the nature of reality. Due to the means of the scientific method, the structure of the atom and the composition of the stars, the mechanisms for growth, the cause of disease and cures or infection, and also the blueprint for life have all been discovered. The scientific method has many great functions that all evolve from the inquiry of a problem (steps: Observe, Create Hypotheses, Deduce specific things that may also be true, Test the hypothesis), leading to a hypothesis that is then broken down to help distinguish relevant information from irrelevant information within the scientific problem. 3. Why can we never conclusively confirm or confute a scientific hypothesis?
Hypotheses are created, not discovered, they are very open-ended in terms of their overall process and also how they are created. Each hypotheses hold different value, quantitative and qualitative information within each individual one, making no hypotheses identical. Schick and Vaughn stated, “No scientific hypothesis can be conclusively confirmed because we can’t rule out the possibility of someday finding evidence to
Philosophy 303- Principles of Inquiry: Ways of Knowing
Assignment #4
1.
1. What is the difference between science and technology?
As Schick and Vaughn described in chapter 6, “Science seeks to understand the general principles that govern the universe – not to produce gadgets” (p.165). Science and technology hold many similarities with a fine line to decipher between the two; however they are both very different with their own meaning(s). Science is definitely used when it comes to processing and manufacturing these types of items, technological devices, but is not the ultimate goal that is held by science. Ultimately, knowledge is what drives us to produce science and technology is driven to produce the manufactured goods. 2. What is the function of the scientific method?
Scientists use the scientific method primarily to gain knowledge about the nature of reality. Due to the means of the scientific method, the structure of the atom and the composition of the stars, the mechanisms for growth, the cause of disease and cures or infection, and also the blueprint for life have all been discovered. The scientific method has many great functions that all evolve from the inquiry of a problem (steps: Observe, Create Hypotheses, Deduce specific things that may also be true, Test the hypothesis), leading to a hypothesis that is then broken down to help distinguish relevant information from irrelevant information within the scientific problem. 3. Why can we never conclusively confirm or confute a scientific hypothesis?
Hypotheses are created, not discovered, they are very open-ended in terms of their overall process and also how they are created. Each hypotheses hold different value, quantitative and qualitative information within each individual one, making no hypotheses identical. Schick and Vaughn stated, “No scientific hypothesis can be conclusively confirmed because we can’t rule out the possibility of someday finding evidence to