now playing: mike and the mechanics, “all i need is a miracle” lecture 1: introduction to...

Now playing: Mike and the Mechanics, “All I need is a Miracle”

Lecture 1:

Introduction to ISB-202

Dr. Mark Whalon

Instructor

Lecture 1:

Introduction to ISB-202

Dr. Mark Whalon

Instructor

Who and What is Your Instructor?Who and What is Your Instructor?

Applied EcologistApplied Ecologist

- Can He Teach?- Can He Teach?

- What kind of person is he?- What kind of person is he?

- Is the material worth learning?- Is the material worth learning?

- Will he be an easy grader?- Will he be an easy grader?

EnvironmentalPolicy ExpertEnvironmentalPolicy Expert

How much scholarly material will you digest (books and articles) while at MSU?

How much scholarly material will you digest (books and articles) while at MSU?

Outlandish ExampleOutlandish Example:Outlandish ExampleOutlandish Example:

-10 books and 10 articles per class-10 books and 10 articles per class

-5 years at MSU

= 1500 book & articles in Your College Career!

-5 years at MSU

= 1500 book & articles in Your College Career!

-5 classes per semester = 100 books & articles/semester

-5 classes per semester = 100 books & articles/semester

-Three semesters per year= 300 book & articles/year

-Three semesters per year= 300 book & articles/year

My Christmas break reading list…My Christmas break reading list…

Start with: Michigan State’s Library (est.1955)Start with: Michigan State’s Library (est.1955)

Main library and 14 branches~4,000,000 volumes ~28,000 serial subscriptions (in print and electronic form) ~5,000,000 items in microfilm and microfiche~10,000,000 items on DVD, CD and servers ~200,000 maps ~40,000 sound recordings

Main library and 14 branches~4,000,000 volumes ~28,000 serial subscriptions (in print and electronic form) ~5,000,000 items in microfilm and microfiche~10,000,000 items on DVD, CD and servers ~200,000 maps ~40,000 sound recordings

Compare your scholarly activity to the publishedInformation in the World…Compare your scholarly activity to the publishedInformation in the World…

In 1814 the entire collection was 3,000 books. Today, the Library receives some 22,000 physical items each working day and adds approximately 1,000,000 digital items to the collections daily.

In 1814 the entire collection was 3,000 books. Today, the Library receives some 22,000 physical items each working day and adds approximately 1,000,000 digital items to the collections daily.

The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with nearly 119 million items on over 530 miles of bookshelves. The

collections include some 18 million books, 2 million recordings, 12 million photographs, 4 million maps, and 53 million manuscripts.

The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with nearly 119 million items on over 530 miles of bookshelves. The

collections include some 18 million books, 2 million recordings, 12 million photographs, 4 million maps, and 53 million manuscripts.

0

20000000

40000000

60000000

80000000

100000000

120000000

Ancient 1200 1500 1800Time

Doubling Rate = 4.2 years!!!!

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How many books, articles, scientific journals &

papers, abstracts, Federal Records, etc. has your instructor read?

How many books, articles, scientific journals &

papers, abstracts, Federal Records, etc. has your instructor read?

- K-12th Grade, 4yrs Undergrad, 2yrs MS, 3yrs Ph.D., Symposia, Colloquia, Seminars, 25 yrs of research and 8 yrs of teaching… ~150,000 books

- K-12th Grade, 4yrs Undergrad, 2yrs MS, 3yrs Ph.D., Symposia, Colloquia, Seminars, 25 yrs of research and 8 yrs of teaching… ~150,000 books

-I have read ~10-50x what you have read or will read. But does my education, scientific discipline and experience make me wise?-Does all of this knowledge acquisition and experience

make me a good teacher?-Am I a teacher worth emulating or listening to by how I live? By what I think? Or by what I teach?

-I have read ~10-50x what you have read or will read. But does my education, scientific discipline and experience make me wise?-Does all of this knowledge acquisition and experience

make me a good teacher?-Am I a teacher worth emulating or listening to by how I live? By what I think? Or by what I teach?

How does an instructor present Any Subject given such vast

information?

How does an instructor present Any Subject given such vast

information?• Many Prof’s won’t tell you their slant, bias or what their worldview is…

• Many Prof’s won’t tell you their slant, bias or what their worldview is…

• There is no such thing as

valueless teaching…the “value” is

in the choosing of the material taught.

• There is no such thing as

valueless teaching…the “value” is

in the choosing of the material taught.

• Its up to you to figure it out…• Its up to you to figure it out…

Who and What is Your Instructor?Who and What is Your Instructor?

Applied EcologistApplied Ecologist

-Researcher-Researcher

-Teacher-Teacher

-Agricultural Policy-Agricultural Policy

-Family Man-Family Man

EnvironmentalPolicy ExpertEnvironmentalPolicy Expert

• Pledge: I will make every effort to present a balanced or at least both sides of a controversial arena of science, biology, ecology or the environment. But like every person, I am operating from a certain ‘worldview’ and I believe that you need to know what that worldview is. There is no such thing as “valueless teaching”, in the material I choose to teach, I am expressing what I think is important…

• Pledge: I will make every effort to present a balanced or at least both sides of a controversial arena of science, biology, ecology or the environment. But like every person, I am operating from a certain ‘worldview’ and I believe that you need to know what that worldview is. There is no such thing as “valueless teaching”, in the material I choose to teach, I am expressing what I think is important…

- Metaphysics- Metaphysics

- Science Is a Good Methodology, perhaps the ology, perhaps the best for natural systems, bbest for natural systems, but there are other ways of knowing…art, music, religion, philosophy, etc.

- Science Is a Good Methodology, perhaps the ology, perhaps the best for natural systems, bbest for natural systems, but there are other ways of knowing…art, music, religion, philosophy, etc.

- Open Universe

• Be a student! Chinese Proverb: “When the student …”• Engage biology positively, your life depends on it!• Attend Class & do your assigned readings…• Ask questions in class...

• Be a student! Chinese Proverb: “When the student …”• Engage biology positively, your life depends on it!• Attend Class & do your assigned readings…• Ask questions in class...

What do I expect of You? What do I expect of You? What do I expect of You? What do I expect of You?

• Learn and understand the concepts taught...Learn and understand the concepts taught...• Learn and understand the concepts taught...Learn and understand the concepts taught...

• Become a ‘critical’ consumer of science…Become a ‘critical’ consumer of science…• Recognize your privileged position in the world…Recognize your privileged position in the world…

• Be willing to see both sides of issues…open!Be willing to see both sides of issues…open!

• exercise your citizenship...exercise your citizenship...

Now playing: Mike and the Mechanics, “All I need is a Miracle”

Lecture 1.1

Science: What is it?

Lecture 1.1

Science: What is it?

Lecture 1- Goals:Lecture 1- Goals:

1. Define Science1. Define Science

2. Understand concepts of naïve inductivism, deduction, objectivism, subjectivism, Popperian falsification, Scientific Programs, & Kuhn’s scientific revolution

2. Understand concepts of naïve inductivism, deduction, objectivism, subjectivism, Popperian falsification, Scientific Programs, & Kuhn’s scientific revolution3. Relate these definitions of science throughout the

courseto the different areas we will explore this semester.

3. Relate these definitions of science throughout the course

to the different areas we will explore this semester.Assignment:Assignment:

1. Read: Introduction in Textbook1. Read: Introduction in Textbook2. Websites: FYI & Ehttp://apbio.biosci.uga.edu/essays/what_is_science.html http://www.ntu.edu.au/faculties/science/sbes/resources/kmcg_resources/sid101/sld001.htmhttp://www.geog.umd.edu/homepage/courses/600/week01/group2/tsld001.htmhttp://www.it.swin.edu.au/schil/phlsci/philsci_session1.htm http://www.qub.ac.uk/phil/courses/science/sci6.htm http://home.earthlink.net/~imaginationworks/memes/medocf.htm http://www.aynrand.org/objectivism/http://www.aynrand.org/objectivism/

2. Websites: FYI & Ehttp://apbio.biosci.uga.edu/essays/what_is_science.html http://www.ntu.edu.au/faculties/science/sbes/resources/kmcg_resources/sid101/sld001.htmhttp://www.geog.umd.edu/homepage/courses/600/week01/group2/tsld001.htmhttp://www.it.swin.edu.au/schil/phlsci/philsci_session1.htm http://www.qub.ac.uk/phil/courses/science/sci6.htm http://home.earthlink.net/~imaginationworks/memes/medocf.htm http://www.aynrand.org/objectivism/http://www.aynrand.org/objectivism/

Chapter 1: Chapter 1: First Definition of Science:First Definition of Science:

Naïve Inductivism.Naïve Inductivism.

1st Model of what science is…1st Model of what science is…

Naïve InductivismNaïve Inductivism

Science is materialism and naturalism based upon observation, hypothesis,

experimentation (methodology) = facts compiled into theories.

Science is materialism and naturalism based upon observation, hypothesis,

experimentation (methodology) = facts compiled into theories.

many

singular

statements

many

singular

statements

universal

statement

universal

statement

prediction

explanation

prediction

explanation

What is Science?What is Science?

Here is a cutting edge concept in a Postmodernworld!

Here is a cutting edge concept in a Postmodernworld!

Scientific Knowledge

is not good or bad…

Scientific Knowledge

is not good or bad…

Its Goodness or Badness depends on how it’s used and by what standard you grade it.

Its Goodness or Badness depends on how it’s used and by what standard you grade it.

Charcov- The eminent Chemist said,Charcov- The eminent Chemist said,

“Whatever can be done in science, must be done”

“Whatever can be done in science, must be done”

But many believe that this moralization is equivalent to selling one’s soul to the devil!But many believe that this moralization is equivalent to selling one’s soul to the devil!

Facts acquired through

observation

Facts acquired through

observation

Laws and theories

Laws and theories

Predictions and

explanations

Predictions and

explanations

InductionInduction DeductionDeduction

Inductivism may include two logical steps:Inductivism may include two logical steps:

Principle of InductivismPrinciple of Inductivism•The number of observations forming the basis of a generalization must be large

•The number of observations forming the basis of a generalization must be large

•Observations must be repeated under a variety of conditions

•Observations must be repeated under a variety of conditions

•No observations should conflict with the universal law or theory

•No observations should conflict with the universal law or theory

• A large number of adult moths have been observed to have wings• A large number of adult moths have been observed to have wings

•All observed adult moths have wings, regardless of the environmental circumstances

•All observed adult moths have wings, regardless of the environmental circumstances

•All adult moths have wings.•All adult moths have wings.

Example of InductionExample of Induction

Problems with InductivismProblems with Inductivism

• Inductivism fails to throw new light on science• Inductivism fails to throw new light on science

• Appeals to logic• Appeals to logic

• Appeals to experience• Appeals to experience

• What is a sufficient number of observations?• What is a sufficient number of observations?

• What constitutes significant variation?• What constitutes significant variation?

• Must retreat to probability• Must retreat to probability

• Theory: dependent inductivism• Theory: dependent inductivism

Example of DeductionExample of Deduction

•Many lectures on the philosophy of science are boring•Many lectures on the philosophy of science are boring

•Therefore, this class is boring

•Therefore, this class is boring

•This is a lecture on the philosophy of science•This is a lecture on the philosophy of science

Principle of DeductionPrinciple of Deduction

• Start with inductively derived laws and theories• Start with inductively derived laws and theories

• Define initial conditions• Define initial conditions

• Make predictions and explanations• Make predictions and explanations

Chapter 2: Science: Chapter 2: Science:

Objectivism vs. Objectivism vs. SubjectivismSubjectivism

Understanding whether science and scientists are objective or subjective is important in understanding what science is. Therefore, the following discussion is not a science model, but an attempt to understand how science is practiced.

Understanding whether science and scientists are objective or subjective is important in understanding what science is. Therefore, the following discussion is not a science model, but an attempt to understand how science is practiced.

Objectivism Vs SubjectivismObjectivism Vs SubjectivismIs science and are scientists objective?Is science and are scientists objective?

Objectivism is the belief that mankind can be removed from or independent of his surroundings and experiences while making observations.

Objectivism is the belief that mankind can be removed from or independent of his surroundings and experiences while making observations.

Subjectivism holds that man is not objective, but subjected to his surroundings, training, personal experience, etc.

Subjectivism holds that man is not objective, but subjected to his surroundings, training, personal experience, etc.

• Objectivism and Subjectivism result in at least three concurrent views of science…

• Objectivism and Subjectivism result in at least three concurrent views of science…

1- Scientific Imperialism1- Scientific Imperialism

• Science is the Truth Arbiter, therefore anything goes if scientists say so.

• Science is the Truth Arbiter, therefore anything goes if scientists say so.

Objectivism is the belief that a scientist can be removed from or independent of his surroundings and experiences while making observations, conclusions and recommendations.

Objectivism is the belief that a scientist can be removed from or independent of his surroundings and experiences while making observations, conclusions and recommendations.

2- Postmodern Relativism2- Postmodern Relativism

Subjectivism holds that science and scientists are not objective, but antecedents to surroundings, training, personal experience, etc.

Subjectivism holds that science and scientists are not objective, but antecedents to surroundings, training, personal experience, etc.

• Plurality of Truths = Science is only one form

of Subjective Truth, and Science has made many errors in the past, therefore science and scientists should be questioned, evaluated & regulated.

• Plurality of Truths = Science is only one form

of Subjective Truth, and Science has made many errors in the past, therefore science and scientists should be questioned, evaluated & regulated.

3- Godisms3- Godisms

• Mankind is created and ultimately Truth is God Revealed. Science is a product of mankind, therefore science must be carefully evaluated for its potential good and/or bad outcomes.

• Mankind is created and ultimately Truth is God Revealed. Science is a product of mankind, therefore science must be carefully evaluated for its potential good and/or bad outcomes.

Since Truth is ultimately Revealed and science is error prone, science is subjectiveand an ethical society must take care toevaluate and judge science’s pursuits and products carefully.

Since Truth is ultimately Revealed and science is error prone, science is subjectiveand an ethical society must take care toevaluate and judge science’s pursuits and products carefully.

Approximate proportions of US population holding the 3 general philosophical views of

Scientific Information:

Approximate proportions of US population holding the 3 general philosophical views of

Scientific Information:

Scientific Imperialism:-Based on the Enlightenment < 5%Scientific Imperialism:-Based on the Enlightenment < 5%

Post Modern Relativism-Fastest growing > 14%Post Modern Relativism-Fastest growing > 14%

Godisms:-Largest > 80%Godisms:-Largest > 80%

Numerous Harris PollsNumerous Harris Polls

Many folks have a “blended or ad hoc” philosophy, this information is only helpful in understanding trends not specific behavior…Many folks have a “blended or ad hoc” philosophy, this information is only helpful in understanding trends not specific behavior…

Michael Polanyi -- (1891-1976)Eminent Nobel Chemist

Michael Polanyi -- (1891-1976)Eminent Nobel ChemistWorried about what subjectivism

would do to Science -- “tacit knowledge” “we know more than what we can tell”. Like riding a bicycle…you really can’t tell all that you know about the act of riding…

Worried about what subjectivism would do to Science -- “tacit knowledge” “we know more than what we can tell”. Like riding a bicycle…you really can’t tell all that you know about the act of riding…

Paul FeyerabendPostmodern philosopherPaul FeyerabendPostmodern philosopher

Science is not intrinsically superior to other forms of knowledge

Science is not intrinsically superior to other forms of knowledge

RelativismRelativism

Assignment: Learn the Presuppositions of Science

Assignment: Learn the Presuppositions of Science

Presuppositions of SciencePresuppositions of Science

• Materialism = matter is made of particles and energy. Together they are all there is in the universe.

• Naturalism = everything that happens, happens by natural (not supernatural) means.

• Objectivism = the belief that scientists are objective.

• Reductionism = a phenomena can be understood by breaking it into its parts andstudying each part; the parts re-assembled constitute the phenomena

completely.

• Uniformitarianism = all phenomena observed today have occurred at the same rateand manner throughout time.

• Rationalism: Phenomena can be understood rationally, with logic.

• Enlightened Humanism: Humans are capable of understanding the universe and objectively evaluating it.

• Scientism: The scientific method is the only truth generator; there is no revelation

• Materialism = matter is made of particles and energy. Together they are all there is in the universe.

• Naturalism = everything that happens, happens by natural (not supernatural) means.

• Objectivism = the belief that scientists are objective.

• Reductionism = a phenomena can be understood by breaking it into its parts andstudying each part; the parts re-assembled constitute the phenomena

completely.

• Uniformitarianism = all phenomena observed today have occurred at the same rateand manner throughout time.

• Rationalism: Phenomena can be understood rationally, with logic.

• Enlightened Humanism: Humans are capable of understanding the universe and objectively evaluating it.

• Scientism: The scientific method is the only truth generator; there is no revelation

Chapter 3: Science asChapter 3: Science as

FalsificationFalsification

2nd modelwe Will Use in anattempt to understandwhat Science is…

2nd modelwe Will Use in anattempt to understandwhat Science is…

Falsification science: the process of developing a set of hypotheses, tentatively proposed, to asaccurately as possible describe an aspect of

the natural world.

Falsification science: the process of developing a set of hypotheses, tentatively proposed, to asaccurately as possible describe an aspect of

the natural world.

Science: The Process of Popperian Falsification

Science: The Process of Popperian Falsification

Hypotheses (H0 )must be falsifiable: one develops logically possible observations which, if

established, would falsify the H0.

Hypotheses (H0 )must be falsifiable: one develops logically possible observations which, if

established, would falsify the H0.

• A large number of adult moths have been observed to have wings

• A large number of adult moths have been observed to have wings

•All observed adult moths have wings, regardless of the

environmental circumstances

•All observed adult moths have wings, regardless of the

environmental circumstances

Example of Falsification from Induction

Example of Falsification from Induction

•Therefore, the hypothesis is: All adult moths have wings.

•Falsification is: the experiment that would disprove this hypothesis…

•Therefore, the hypothesis is: All adult moths have wings.

•Falsification is: the experiment that would disprove this hypothesis…

Judging H0’sJudging H0’s

Judge Judy

• Degree of falsifiability• Degree of falsifiability

• Clarity• Clarity

• Precision• Precision

• Boldness• Boldness

• Novelty• Novelty

Problems with FalsificationProblems with Falsification

• Complexity of any realistic test of most modern theories is often extremely difficult.

• Complexity of any realistic test of most modern theories is often extremely difficult.

• Theory underlying H0 may be false.

• Theory underlying H0 may be false.

• Historical test: clearly not what happened with many modern theories…most would have been rejected in their infancy.

• Historical test: clearly not what happened with many modern theories…most would have been rejected in their infancy.


Research ProgramsResearch Programs

The 3rd model we will use in an attempt to

understandwhat Science is…

The 3rd model we will use in an attempt to

understandwhat Science is…

Science: Research programsScience: Research programs• Hard core theory, often not easily challenged• Generates lots of Hypotheses

• Hard core theory, often not easily challenged• Generates lots of Hypotheses

Problems: 1) Politically influenced, 2) Special interest influenced, 3) Dictate large expenditures of public funds, 4) Redirect or sometimes misdirect science thrusts and 5) Often ideologically driven or oriented.

Examples: Geocentric Solar System, Lamarkianism, IQ testing, Eugenics, NASA, ZPG,

Aids Research, Human Genome Project, etc.

Problems: 1) Politically influenced, 2) Special interest influenced, 3) Dictate large expenditures of public funds, 4) Redirect or sometimes misdirect science thrusts and 5) Often ideologically driven or oriented.

Examples: Geocentric Solar System, Lamarkianism, IQ testing, Eugenics, NASA, ZPG,

Aids Research, Human Genome Project, etc.

ProgressProgress

DegenerateDegenerate

0

2,000,000,000

4,000,000,000

6,000,000,000

8,000,000,000

10,000,000,000

AIDS spending

1981 Present


a Ra Revolutionevolution

The 4th model we will use in anattempt to understandwhat Science is…

The 4th model we will use in anattempt to understandwhat Science is…

Kuhn’s Scientific RevolutionsKuhn’s Scientific Revolutions

Prescience

Crisis

Normal Science

Revolution

A Scientific Theory is likea pitcher of water. A Scientific Theory is likea pitcher of water.

When one Theory fails its components often flow into another Theory.

When one Theory fails its components often flow into another Theory.

-How you understand and use science may be good or bad, but since you are a voting citizen of the greatest science culture that theworld has known, you have a direct responsibility for whatscience does in your lifetime and in succeeding generations.

-How you understand and use science may be good or bad, but since you are a voting citizen of the greatest science culture that theworld has known, you have a direct responsibility for whatscience does in your lifetime and in succeeding generations.

-Human endeavor dependent on the scientific community and society.-Human endeavor dependent on the scientific community and society.Lecture 1 Science: What is it? Wrap-upLecture 1 Science: What is it? Wrap-up

- Not infallible, often guided by scientific fads, yet the best we have.we have.- Not infallible, often guided by scientific fads, yet the best we have.we have.

-Therefore, shouldn’t you want to know enough about science to be a responsible citizen?

-Therefore, shouldn’t you want to know enough about science to be a responsible citizen?

- An Awesome Responsibility? Agreed…?- An Awesome Responsibility? Agreed…?

-There are at least 4 ways of describing Science: Naïve Inductivism, Falsification, Science Programs & Kuhnian Revolutions.

-There are at least 4 ways of describing Science: Naïve Inductivism, Falsification, Science Programs & Kuhnian Revolutions.

-Based on presuppositions about how the world is, & many if not all, of these presuppositions are not scientifically testable.

-Based on presuppositions about how the world is, & many if not all, of these presuppositions are not scientifically testable.

“Science is simply common sense at its best… rigidly accurate in observation, and merciless to

fallacy in logic.”

--Thomas Henry Huxley (1825-1895) English biologist and “Darwin’s bulldog”.

“Science is simply common sense at its best… rigidly accurate in observation, and merciless to

fallacy in logic.”

--Thomas Henry Huxley (1825-1895) English biologist and “Darwin’s bulldog”.

now playing: mike and the mechanics, “all i need is a miracle” lecture 1: introduction to...

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