BIOL 112 1st Edition Lecture 2 Outline of Last Lecture I. Philosophy of Biology/ScienceII. Limitations to Our Understanding of UniverseIII.Aids to UnderstandingIV.Scientific MethodV. Elements of ScienceVI.Limitations of ScienceOutline of Current LectureVII. Categories of Scientific ModelsVIII. Levels of Scientific ModelsIX. ParadigmsX. Value JudgmentsXI.Bad TheoriesCurrent LectureI. 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 diseaseIn all cases, the model must match the behavior of reality. This is the basis of experimentation in science.II. Levels of Scientific MethodsThere 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 (in-validated) 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 pre-dictive powers. Usually is general and applies to many cases. One sin-gle 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. ParadigmsExamples of Paradigms:•Quantum Mechanics -- behavior of atoms and molecules; energy in-teractions•Einsteinian Relativity -- interactions of gravitational objects; stars, galaxiesSome 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 peri-ods of timeIV. Value JudgmentsScientists 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 TheoriesNot testable, poor predictive value, doesn't fit observationsTwo types:•Untestable Theory -- beyond our current ability to examine; don't have the technology•Example: Moons of Mars; 1950s alien orbiting satellite hypoth-esis 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
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