Chapter 2
The evolution of the meaning of SCIENCE SCIENCE came from the latin word SCIENTIA which means knowledge.
ANCIENT SCIENCE (before the 8 th century) In ancient Greece, Science began with the discovery of the principles behind changes in sensible phenomena.
Ancient scientists 1.Euclid Geometry 2.Hipparcus & Ptolemy Astronomy 3.Archimedes principles of mechanics. 4.Galen Medicine 5.Hero Optics 6.Aristotle and Stoics Logic
Metaphysics Based on Aristotle s classification on the varying degrees of immateriality (or abstraction) The superior science since it studies the ultimate causes of things.
MEDIEVAL SCIENCE (8 th Century to 17 th Century ) Science expanded through showing harmony between reason and faith
MODERN SCIENCE (17 th Century 20 th Century The modern age saw the flourishing of modern science in the fields of mechanics, astronomy, and mathematics. The scientists of 16 th and 17 th centuries were not opposed to philosophy and theology were: 1.Copernicus 2.Kepler 3.Galileo 4.Newton
Scientism- philosophical ideas and religious myths are abstractions that you should not accept as knowledge. Positivism- views theology and philosophy as nothing but evolutionary stages that have been surpassed and supplanted by the positive experimental sciences.
SCIENCE TODAY(20 th century to the present) At present the dogmatic reign of the positive sciences is threatened by the emergence of modern mathematics and modern physics. The discipline of ETHICS is slowly regaining ground to become once again a guiding factor for scientific development.
2-Classification of sciences: Aristotle classification : a-speculative science- seeks knowledge as an end in itself. b-science of ethic seeks knowledge necessary for our own moral perfection c-poetic or productive science seeks knowledge necessary to make certain objects.
3-The interrelationship and the autonomy of the science: a-are a consequence of their overlapping material objects. b-the unity of reality. c-mechanism; d-behaviorism:
Mutable knowledge vis-a-vis the immutable truth. Science understood as the particular or positive sciences, admits improvement in some aspects. A highly dynamic field this body of knowledge is never final. These enable more accurate observation and data gathering. Consequently, we continue to acquire more knowledge or a better understanding of realities.
These are often based on more refined observations and /or methods or more accurate data. Explanations of such knowledge normally remain solid and unaltered through time. these are what may be described as objective, universal truths.
What,then,is truth? All human beings desire to know
Aristotle..philosophy in Greek
Error or falsehood is properly not knowledge
endeavor to discover reality
Time Saving Truth from Falsehood and Envy
God who can neither err nor deceive nor be deceived
Logical truth / ontological truth
Chapter 3 Science as a specialized field of knowledge
The modern classification of sciences : social science natural science : biological sciences,,,,physical sciences physical sciences : chemistry,,,,physics,,,,geology,,,,,,,geography,,geo graphy,,,,,,,,,,,mineralogy,,,,meteorology,,,,astrono my
1-Chracteristic of science: a-necessity existence of certain and evident principles. b-universality True scientific knowledge stands the test of time and space.
2-Scientific method: Is the orderly manner by which we arrive at a knowledge of scientific principles a-exprimental investigation b-the process of demonstration c-the laying down of principles The scientific method may be carried out in 9 steps; 1-Defination of the problem 2-Research for all possible facts 3-Organization and evaluation of these facts 4-Identification of factors and deciding which variables to control and which to live uncontrolled 5-Formation of the hypothesis 6-Testing of the hypothesis 7-Observation,data gathering,taking measurements when necessary 8-Analysis of data gathering 9-Conclusion
qualities of a good scientist. From our discussion on the scientist method. Certain qualities of a good scientist maybe gleaned. 1.you are able to recognize the variables at a time. 2.you are able to sort out useful data and ignore irrelevant aspects of information. 3.you are able to make careful measurments. 4.you are able to grasp the central theme of your observations. 5.you are able to formulate testable hypotheses. All these will make this step abreez for you. This are but a few of the qualities of a good scientist as a scientist you may lack one or other of these important qualities and thus. Sometimes make mistake.
How the scientific community works? Advances in science and technology are not ordinarily kept inside drawers and left rot by mad. Anti-social scientists whose contact with the outside world is strictly though an ugly. To become all acceptable part of the scientific body of knowledge. The results achieved by one group of scientist work must be reproducible.