BIOL 112 1st Edition Lecture 2 Outline of Last Lecture I Philosophy of Biology Science II Limitations to Our Understanding of Universe III Aids to Understanding IV Scientific Method V Elements of Science VI Limitations of Science Outline of Current Lecture VII VIII Categories of Scientific Models Levels of Scientific Models IX Paradigms X Value Judgments XI Bad Theories Current Lecture I Categories of Scientific Methods Model a mental construct a way of thinking examples Model of DNA structure Mathematical equation Model of a cell Germ theory of disease In all cases the model must match the behavior of reality This is the basis of experimentation in science II Levels of Scientific Methods There are no formal boundaries for these levels These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor s lecture GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes not as a substitute Hypothesis low level tentative model created to be tested invalidated by experimentation can be progressively refined so that its explanatory and predictive value accuracy increases Usually limited to a specific case Phrased in a if then style They re set up for a specific condition Theory higher level reliable useful valid repeatedly tested model of some aspect of the universe has good explanatory and predictive powers Usually is general and applies to many cases One single experiment usually does not invalidate a theory Paradigm large scale model an encompassing theory which gives a major frame of reference a major way of looking at the world III Paradigms Examples of Paradigms Quantum Mechanics behavior of atoms and molecules energy interactions Einsteinian Relativity interactions of gravitational objects stars galaxies Some Biological Paradigms Mendelian Genetics behavior of units of heredity Molecular Genetics nature of units of heredity Cell Theory all life consists of functional reproductive units called cells Evolution response of living things to the universe over long periods of time IV Value Judgments Scientists make value judgments about their and other s work Good data carefully collected others can test and verify their work Good theory testable useful explains and predicts Inappropriate Right or Wrong Science is not capable of making judgments like these V Bad Theories Not testable poor predictive value doesn t fit observations Two types Untestable Theory beyond our current ability to examine don t have the technology Example Moons of Mars 1950s alien orbiting satellite hypothesis of Iosif Shklovsky 1916 1985 didn t have the resources to test a theory like this at the time Unfalsifiable Theory constructed so that any possible test would be meaningless Example You can t prove that there s an invisible weightless man in drip coffee pot making coffee every morning It s not that you don t have the resources or technology it s just not fathomable
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