Grayling Why Science is Important

"Scientific method refers to a body of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge. To be termed scientific, a method of inquiry must be based on gathering observable, empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning. A scientific method consists of the collection of data through observation and experimentation, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses.

Although procedures vary from one field of inquiry to another, identifiable features distinguish scientific inquiry from other methodologies of knowledge. Scientific researchers propose hypotheses as explanations of phenomena, and design experimental studies to test these hypotheses. These steps must be repeatable in order to dependably predict any future results. Theories that encompass wider domains of inquiry may bind many independently-derived hypotheses together in a coherent, supportive structure. This in turn may help form new hypotheses or place groups of hypotheses into context.

Among other facets shared by the various fields of inquiry is the conviction that the process be objective to reduce biased interpretations of the results. Another basic expectation is to document, archive and share all data and methodology so they are available for careful scrutiny by other scientists, thereby allowing other researchers the opportunity to verify results by attempting to reproduce them. This practice, called full disclosure, also allows statistical measures of the reliability of these data to be established."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method

Science vs Lore:
1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU7k5byRE3I
2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLu1d7i22Oo


"Anthony Grayling MA, DPhil (Oxon) FRSL, FRSA is Professor of Philosophy at Birkbeck College, University of London, and a Supernumerary Fellow of St Anne's College, Oxford. He has written and edited over twenty books on philosophy and other subjects; among his most recent are "Ideas That Matter", "Liberty in the Age of Terror" and "To Set Prometheus Free"." He is a frequent contributor to the popular print media.

http://acgrayling.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._C._Grayling

This video-clip is part of a series entitled "Why Science is Important":
part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjNF4rPDtuQ
Sciencefilms channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Sciencefilms

Category:

Education

Tags:

• science
• scientific
• method
• philosophy
• ac
• grayling

[EvolvedAtheist]

@BELIALNEW

2 Still, there are an alarming number of people who refuse to recognize that the Bible was written by a large number of people ... and rarely the authors to whom it is attributed. If "Yahweh" inspired it, then he is not merely vicious and petty, but incompetent!

[EvolvedAtheist]

@BELIALNEW

Clinging to belief while eschewing religion seems to be the new fad -- they package it as "spirituality." I suspect that it's partly a response to all the anti-religion rhetoric. If they have realized that the Bible is a crock, but are not ready to relinquish the emotional connection to the concepts, then they package that as pantheism or deism. I do empathize that "relationship breakdown" can be very painful, but it is always wise to leave a neglectful abuser!

[BELIALNEW]

@BELIALNEW I also get a kick out of religious people who, when talking to them about religion, say they aren't religious, and don't like religion either. As if to imply they have "the truth." Give me a fucking break

[BELIALNEW]

I will sometimes throw a quote that caught my attention out on facebook (yes, I'm on facebook and yes, I know it sucks) and at one point my mother sent me a message saying "...all those people you're quoting are PEOPLE, they're JUST PEOPLE..." as if the bible were written by something else XD Religious people never fail to make me laugh.

[EvolvedAtheist]

@dewinthemorning

That is the value of science, isn't it?! That and the fact that it *does* provide answers and solutions.

It also eradicates any potency from ridiculous creationist attacks on science. They simply cannot face the fact that all the evidence falsifies Genesis and eradicates the possibility of their fondly-imagined "afterlife".

[dewinthemorning]

Well said - "answers which raise more questions, leaves you with open-endedness".