Philosophy and Science: Key Concepts and Methods
Dogmatism
Dogmatism refers to a basic principle, a universal and undeniable truth, affirmed as such.
Skepticism
Skepticism is a philosophical doctrine that considers human reason incapable of knowing the truth.
Objectivity
Objectivity is a property based on the possibility that different individuals around the world agree and share experiences in science.
Technological Chance
Humans discover that they have the capacity to transform nature.
Technology of the Artisan
With increasing human and technical means, the first artisans or specialists appear.
Technological Technician
Appears in the Industrial Revolution. Methodical and systematic work is used to accomplish tasks. Science and technology should encourage each other.
The Echo of the Big Bang
Measurements were taken at different temperatures, and microwaves were detected with small variations. Particularly, the closer to the Big Bang, the hotter the temperatures were, ranging from 1031 °K to 1013 °K.
Photon
A photon is a massless particle of light that behaves as a subject.
Big Crunch
If the density of the universe exceeds the density calculated by scientists (because the universe is stable), it will reach a maximum size and then collapse again, forming another point of very dense matter.
Heat Death
Heat death will happen when the density of the universe decreases, including the expansion velocity and temperature, reaching 0°K (-273°C).
Preponderance of Dark Energy
Galaxies will deviate so much from each other that they will remain isolated and can overcome the force of gravity, separating the stars and their planets. Matter will be broken.
Star
A star is a spherical body that emits energy as electromagnetic radiation (waves) and extracts energy from thermonuclear fusion reactions within its core, which is at high temperatures.
Comet
Comets are bodies that have highly eccentric orbits and are only visible when approaching the Sun. When approaching the Sun, their temperature rises, and they pull dust particles that form the mane and tail.
Fleeting Star
A fleeting star, also known as a shooting star, is a body that burns in the atmosphere, creating a light that crosses the sky at high speed.
Meteorites
Meteorites are fragments of asteroids that travel through space at enormous speeds.
Cosmic Microwave Background
The cosmic microwave background is the glow of the Big Bang.
Deductive Method
The deductive method obtains particular conclusions from general principles (truths).
Inductive Method
The inductive method obtains a general conclusion from specific data or individuals. The procedure is as follows:
- Make a good number of observations on a particular type of phenomenon.
- Check that these observations always happen the same way.
- Assume that this particular type of phenomenon will always occur the same way.
- Finally, make a universal statement obtained from the statements taken from specific observations.
Induction does not ensure validity, as another observation could be different or not occur.
Hypothetico-Deductive Method
- Observe the reality that we want to study and raise the issue that aims to investigate in the most suitable way possible.
- Formulate a hypothesis (a possible explanation or solution to the problem).
- Deduce the consequences of the hypothesis formulated.
- Check if the consequences deduced from the hypothesis are fulfilled or not. Note that predictability is a very valuable feature when accepting or rejecting a hypothesis. All variables must be controlled.
- Present the results to the scientific community for approval using the publications described above. This will create new theories or laws or criticize or confirm existing theories and laws.