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Bold fusion: The scientific method

marries critical thought

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Bold fusion….

Scientific thinkingCritical thinkingThinking!

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A bold fusion of thought processesScientific thinking makes one…–Evaluate/test theories of cause & effect–Discern correlation/causation in hypotheses–Use an empirical process–Make claims that are testable

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A bold fusion of thought processes Critical thinking makes one…

Identify a problem Devise a supposition Verify the applicability of a supposition Interpret, re-interpret, & analyze solutions Select, optimize, & implement best solutions

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Bold fusion: The Scientific Method What? Etymologically scientia Who has used it? Egyptians, Greeks, Islamists, OccidentalsWhy? To analyze selves & environsHow used, in exact sciences and…

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Bold fusion: Scientific MethodCommonly cited steps

Formulate a questionDo researchConstruct a hypothesis Test the hypothesisAnalyze the test resultsHone the hypothesisCommunicate the findings

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Bold fusion: Critical thinking What?

- ability & disposition to improve thinking - systematic intellectual self-assessmentWho uses it? - parents, citizens, friends, lovers,

consumers Why?

- to evaluate, discern subjective & objectiveHow used, in human sciences and….

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Bold! Activities defining critical thought (CT)

Reichenbach’s: Analyze, integrate, evaluate Guffy’s:Pinpoint the problem Learn more, seek possible causesEvaluate the evidenceConsider alternative solutions & implicationsChoose & implement a solution

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Bold fusion A six-step plan to marry SM & CT everywhere:

ConsistencyObservabilityNaturalness PredictabilityReplicabilityTentativity

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Bold fusion: Consistency …in scientific thought, the scientific method …in STEM …in critical thinking

Question: How can/do we reconcile logical

coherence, recognizability, and novelty?

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Bold fusion: Observability …in “scientific thought”, scientific method …in STEM …in critical thinking

Question: How do we notice what, at once collecting the catalysts & then creating?

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Bold fusion: Naturalness …in scientific thought, scientific method …in STEM …in critical thinking

Question: How do we define what is

“natural”? How do we recognize “naturalness”?

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Bold fusion: Predictability …in scientific thought, scientific method …in STEM …in critical thinking

Question: Can it be determined what will happen next? Should this be possible?

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Bold fusion: Replicability …in scientific thought, scientific method …in STEM …in critical thinking

Question: Given the same environment,

circumstances, experimental conditions, will others arrive at the same conclusions?

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Bold fusion: Tentativity …in scientific thought, the scientific method …in STEM …in critical thinking

Question: how are tenacity and tentativity both to

be accommodated?

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Critical scientific thought: 6-way fusionGet the attitude, the ethic of the critical

thinkerPractice reasoning & decision-making Train in cross-disciplinary applications Become self-aware & reflectiveTest ideas & retain only the distilled onesNever stop asking questions