Method Strengths amp Weaknesses Christianity Belief amp Science Strengths The scientific method is rational and objective It is a logical process which can be repeated by others without their opinions entering into it ID: 413284
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Slide1
Scientific MethodStrengths & Weaknesses
Christianity, Belief & ScienceSlide2
Strengths
The scientific method is rational, and objective.
It is a logical process which can be repeated by others without their opinions entering into it.Slide3
Strengths
Scientific theories are continually questioned and modified in the light of new evidence, so they are the best theories we can get.
For almost 2000 years the accepted view in the West put the earth at the center of the universe. However, in the 16th century the Polish astronomer Nicolai Copernicus (1473-1543) proposed that the sun was in fact at the center of our solar system.Slide4
Strengths
It provides us with a way of understanding our world and predicting events.
Einstein's theory of relativity predicted the existence of black holes.Slide5
Strengths
Scientific discoveries provide us with the tools for technological progress.
Understanding electricity ha led to significant changes in the way we as human beings live our lives.Slide6
Strengths
The scientific method is rational, and objective.
Scientific theories are continually questioned and modified in the light of new evidence, so they are the best theories we can get.
It provides us with a way of understanding our world and predicting events.
Scientific discoveries provide us with the tools for technological progress.Slide7
Weaknesses
Scientists are NOT objective, as humans they have personal ambitions, deadlines, budgets and often work for large corporation who have their own agenda.Slide8
Weaknesses
Scientists need to INTERPRET the data, which provides room for human error.Slide9
Weaknesses
The scientific method can NEVER give us 100% proof because it is a process of INDUCTION.Slide10
Inductive ReasoningInductive reasoning goes from general observations to testable theories to scientific laws
.
Observation: Biological
life forms
depend
on liquid water to exist.
Testable theory: All biological life forms that we know of depend on liquid water to exist.
Law: All
biological life probably depends on liquid water to exist. Slide11
Deductive ReasoningDeductive reasoning or
deductive logic
is the process of reasoning from one or more general statements (premises) to reach a logically certain conclusion. If all premises are true, the terms are clear, and the rules of deductive logic are followed, then the conclusion reached is
necessarily
true.
An example of a deductive argument:
All men are mortal.Aristotle is a man.
Therefore, Aristotle is mortal.Slide12
Weaknesses
The scientific method can only tell us about
how
the things work – it cannot give us information on
why
things are the way they are.Slide13
Weaknesses
The scientific method cannot tell us about anything other than physical phenomena – issues of morality, philosophy and religion are outwith the scope of scientific enquiry.Slide14
Weaknesses
Scientists are NOT objective, as humans they have personal ambitions, deadlines, budgets and often work for large corporation who have their own agenda.
Scientists need to INTERPRET the data, which provides room for human error.
The scientific method can NEVER give us 100% proof because it is a process of INDUCTION.
The scientific method can only tell us about
how
the things work – it cannot give us information on
why
things are the way they are.
The scientific method cannot tell us about anything other than physical phenomena – issues of morality, philosophy and religion are outwith the scope of scientific enquiry.Slide15
Task:‘Scientific method is the only reliable way to uncover the truth.’ To what extent do you agree? 8AESlide16
Question:Explain two limitations of the scientific method.
4AE
Give two reasons why scientists may distrust their own methods. 4 AE