10 Questions
What type of knowledge is based on subjective feelings and interpreting random events as nonrandom?
Intuition
Which source of knowledge involves gaining information from repeated ideas that are stubbornly clung to despite evidence to the contrary?
Tenacity
What type of knowledge is based on logical reasoning and deduction like the example provided ('all humans are mortal...')?
Rationalism
Which type of knowledge is gained through objective observations of organisms and events in the real world?
Empiricism
What type of knowledge is gained from those viewed as authority figures such as parents, teachers, government, or celebrities?
Authority knowledge
What is the main difference between empirical observations and systematic empiricism in science?
Empirical observations are haphazard, while systematic empiricism is done in a methodical manner.
Which of the following best describes the principle of falsifiability in science?
Falsifiability asserts that scientific theories must allow for the possibility of being proven wrong.
Why are claims related to alien abduction and past lives considered hard to verify scientifically?
Because they are not easily verifiable or replicable through scientific methods.
What distinguishes pseudoscience from real science?
Pseudoscience can provide an explanation for every situation, unlike real science.
Why is it important for scientific knowledge to be publicly verifiable?
To make it possible for research findings to be observed, replicated, and tested by others.
Study Notes
Types of Knowledge
- Superstition: Based on subjective feelings and interpreting random events as nonrandom.
- Dogma: Involves gaining information from repeated ideas that are stubbornly clung to despite evidence to the contrary.
- Deductive reasoning: Based on logical reasoning and deduction, like the example provided ('all humans are mortal...').
- Empirical knowledge: Gained through objective observations of organisms and events in the real world.
- Authority-based knowledge: Gained from those viewed as authority figures, such as parents, teachers, government, or celebrities.
Empirical Observations and Systematic Empiricism
- Empirical observations: Involves observing and collecting data, but may not involve a systematic approach.
- Systematic empiricism: Involves not only observing and collecting data but also analyzing and testing it using a systematic approach.
Falsifiability in Science
- Principle of falsifiability: A scientific theory or hypothesis must be open to the possibility of being disproven or falsified through experimentation and observation.
- Importance of falsifiability: Allows scientists to differentiate between scientific theories and non-scientific claims.
Pseudoscience and Scientific Knowledge
- Pseudoscience: Claims that are not testable, lack evidence, or are not open to falsification, such as alien abduction and past lives.
- Distinguishing features of pseudoscience: Lack of empirical evidence, inability to be tested or falsified, and often rely on anecdotal evidence or authority figures.
- Importance of public verifiability: Scientific knowledge must be publicly verifiable to ensure that results are reliable and can be replicated by others.
Test your understanding of sources of knowledge and superstition, such as irrational beliefs, intuition, illusory correlations, and authority figures. Explore different ways in which people acquire beliefs and information.
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