Science and Sense Perception

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Questions and Answers

What is a characteristic of scientific prophecies?

They are always universally valid

They are based on unproven assumptions

They say that something will certainly happen

They say that something is likely to happen with a stated degree of probability (correct)

What is critical thinking primarily concerned with?

Generating new ideas and solutions

Testing and evaluating proposed solutions (correct)

Analyzing symptoms to diagnose an illness

Developing a scientific method

What is the term for theories that have proved to be universally valid and have a high degree of probability?

Natural laws (correct)

Theories of evolution

Scientific laws

Universal gravitation

What do theories enable us to do?

Explain, predict, and control phenomena Signup and view all the answers

Why is it essential to include the right diagnosis in the possible diagnoses?

To ensure the final diagnosis is correct Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why scientists and lay persons tend to be careless about thinking?

When their feelings are aroused Signup and view all the answers

How was light viewed before the discovery of the theory of optics?

As patches and shades of color Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a scientific theory mentioned in the text?

Both a and b Signup and view all the answers

What are the twin watchwords of the effective thinker?

Create and criticize Signup and view all the answers

How should the six phases of the cycle be approached?

As a flexible process that can be adjusted as needed Signup and view all the answers

What did ancient people believe about the origin of life?

That organisms originated spontaneously from non-living matter Signup and view all the answers

Who disproved the theory of spontaneous generation?

Louis Pasteur Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that can interfere with objectivity in decision-making?

The fact that each one of us sees the world and ourselves from our own personal point of view Signup and view all the answers

In what year did scientists discover microorganisms?

1676 Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of using the six phases of the cycle?

To ensure the final decision is sound Signup and view all the answers

Why is it essential to practice using the scientific method?

To develop effective thinking skills Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of objects studied in empirical sciences?

They can be observed and measured with instruments Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a sense perception object?

A cow Signup and view all the answers

What do empirical scientists try to find out about the objects or phenomena they study?

The laws which govern their behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is outside the scope of empirical sciences?

The study of abstract values such as beauty and truth Signup and view all the answers

What is formulated in clearly defined statements, propositions, or statistical equations or formulae?

Knowledge in empirical sciences Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a non-sense perception object?

Goodness Signup and view all the answers

Why is 'goodness' not studied in empirical sciences?

Because it is an abstract value that cannot be observed or measured Signup and view all the answers

How do empirical scientists study objects or phenomena?

Through observation and experimentation Signup and view all the answers

What was the title of the book that inspired Darwin's thoughts on population?

Essay on the principles of population Signup and view all the answers

What did Darwin observe during his voyage that led to his idea of natural selection?

Differences in body size, form, and coloring among populations Signup and view all the answers

Who is credited with the concept of natural selection?

Charles Darwin Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of natural selection, according to Darwin?

A gradual change in a population over time Signup and view all the answers

How do favored individuals contribute to the evolution of a population?

They pass on their advantageous traits to their offspring Signup and view all the answers

What was the reaction to Darwin's publication of his work in 1859?

It caused an immediate sensation and widespread controversy Signup and view all the answers

Who independently reached the same conclusion about evolution as Darwin?

Alfred Russel Wallace Signup and view all the answers

What was the implication of Darwin's theory that disturbed many people?

That humans evolved from apes Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the revival of learning in Western Europe?

Renaissance Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of Arabic or Muslim science?

Speculative reasoning Signup and view all the answers

What sparked the desire for knowledge in the Renaissance period?

The translation of Greek books into Latin Signup and view all the answers

What was the attitude of men during the Dark Ages?

They were satisfied with whatever they learned Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary method of learning during the Renaissance period?

Direct translation from Greek Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Renaissance period in Western Europe?

It was a time of rebirth and revival of learning Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the translation of Greek books into Latin?

The satisfaction of the desire for knowledge Signup and view all the answers

What was the attitude of Renaissance men towards ancient scholars?

They tried to find out new things for themselves Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Science and Its Boundaries

Science deals with objects and phenomena that can be observed through the senses or measured with instruments.
Examples of sense perception objects include the human body, animals, natural objects, weather, diseases, plants, and insects.
These objects can be observed with the senses or measured with instruments because they are material things.

Empirical Sciences

Empirical sciences study objects and phenomena that can be observed and experimented with.
Empirical scientists observe and experiment to find out how things originate, grow, develop, function, and relate to each other.
They try to find out the laws that govern their behavior.
The knowledge derived in empirical sciences includes inductive generalizations, laws, and theories.

Non-Sense Perception Objects

Objects that cannot be perceived by the senses include values such as goodness, badness, rightness, virtue, beauty, holiness, and truth.
These objects cannot be observed or measured with instruments.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is the testing and evaluation of proposed solutions.
Effective thinking is both creative and critical.
Critical thinking involves developing possible solutions, evaluating them, and then selecting the best one.

The Scientific Method

The scientific method is a cycle of six phases that can be used to apply creative and critical thinking to problem-solving.
The phases are not a rigid procedure, and may involve going back to earlier phases or working on several phases at the same time.
Each phase must be completed to ensure that the final decision is sound.

Scientific Theories and Laws

Scientific theories enable us to explain, predict, and control phenomena.
Theories provide a new way of looking at familiar objects or phenomena.
Laws are theories that have proved to be universally valid and have a high degree of probability.
Laws do not pronounce certainties, but rather provide a framework for understanding and predicting phenomena.

Evolution Theory

The theory of evolution was first proposed by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace in the 19th century.
The theory suggests that species evolve over time through natural selection.
Darwin was influenced by Thomas Malthus's idea that populations tend to outgrow their resources and must compete for what is available.
Darwin's theory of natural selection proposes that individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to changes in the population over time.

Science in the Renaissance Period

The Renaissance period saw a revival of learning and a desire for knowledge in Western Europe.
Learned men of this period began to study ancient Greek and Roman writings and to translate them into Latin.
This led to a spirit of questioning old beliefs and forming new opinions, which characterized the Renaissance.
The Renaissance marked a shift from a speculative, non-empirical approach to science to a more empirical and experimental approach.

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Description

This quiz explores the concept of sense perception and non-sense perception in science, distinguishing between objects that can be observed with the senses and instruments versus those that cannot.