science

sciences in general, what they are and their methods

History and science

Authentic eyewitness testimony carries more weight than physical evidence concerning events in the past – particularly the distant past. Artifacts of the past are always open to interpretations that contradict one another whereas the ambiguities in testimony are minor in comparison. If the testimony is recorded, then the transmission of the recording needs authentication, preferably […]

History and science Read More »

Who’s on first?

Before the 19th century natural science was part of philosophy. It was called ‘natural philosophy’ (usually) or ‘experimental philosophy’ (Newton). Philosophy provided the background and justification for the development of empirical methods to study the world. Natural science pre-supposed and depended on philosophy. By the 19th century the discipline matured so that it could be

Who’s on first? Read More »

Science and theology

Some people try to exclude arguments about theology from science. This is part of a strategy that goes like this: Science is the only reliable source of knowledge about the natural world. Science excludes all arguments about theology. Therefore, wherever science goes, theology must retreat. Also, theology has no knowledge to contribute to science. If

Science and theology Read More »

Science qualified and unqualified

Science is about public matters that do not require prior philosophical or religious commitments beyond acknowledging the existence of an orderly world and the possibility of understanding that order.  Historically, science did receive impetus from beliefs about the orderliness of the world and human abilities for understanding that order, beliefs that were based on Christian

Science qualified and unqualified Read More »

Theory selection and time

There are several criteria commonly used to select the best scientific theory, including consistency, confirmation, and comprehensiveness.  We discuss two criteria in particular: (1)  “Avoid metaphysics.”  Modern science has a long history of avoiding metaphysics.  Science was often contrasted with the wrangling of metaphysicians.  While some metaphysical assumptions/presuppositions may be inevitable, a theory is preferred

Theory selection and time Read More »

Modes of science

There are three modes of science: descriptive, explanatory, and applied.  The descriptive mode consists of systematic observation of phenomena followed by discovery and empirical confirmation of general laws covering regularities in the observations.  The explanatory mode uses the observations and laws with assumptions that fill in gaps to tell a story of how and why

Modes of science Read More »

Science and extraordinary events

Auditors have discovered a million dollars missing in the accounts of the venerable First Bank. What is the explanation? (1) There has been no impropriety; small rounding errors of a few pennies have occurred many times over many years, which happened to add up to a million dollars. (2) There was an embezzlement of a million dollars. This is

Science and extraordinary events Read More »

Stages of a science

Based on the most developed sciences, physics and chemistry, I suggest each science eventually goes through the following five stages: Stage 1. The Nascent Stage is characterized by monistic ideas such as ‘everything is a form of water’ (e.g., Thales). Stage 2. The Classical Stage is characterized by unaided observation and commonplace ideas such as

Stages of a science Read More »

What is creation science?

In their book “What is Creation Science?” Henry Morris and Gary Parker contrast the evolution and creation world views/models and state: “The second world view–creation–maintains that the universe is not self-contained, but that it must have been created by processes which are not continuing as natural processes in the present.” They go on to say:

What is creation science? Read More »

A science of biological kinds

There is an analogy between chemical kinds — elements — and biological kinds.  Both show that things have differences in kind, not just degree.  The development of the periodic table was not controversial but biological kinds are strongly opposed by mainstream science.  What happened? John S. Wilkins wrote his dissertation and book on “Species: A History

A science of biological kinds Read More »