science, technology, and pseudoscience issues in science and technology
TRANSCRIPT
Science, Technology, and PseudoscienceIssues in Science and Technology
Agenda
• Definition of Man
• Science, Technology, and Magic– Break
• James Randi and the Secrets of the Psychics– Break
• Science vs. Pseudoscience
Man is . . .
• Symbol creating and using animal
• Inventor of the Negative
• Separated from nature by devices of his own making.
Kenneth Burke, The Definition of Man
What is Science?
Knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through the scientific method and concerned with the physical world and its phenomena.
Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary
The Scientific Method
1. Observe some aspect of the universe. 2. Invent a tentative description, called a
hypothesis, that is consistent with what you have observed.
3. Use the hypothesis to make predictions. 4. Test those predictions by experiments or
further observations and modify the hypothesis in the light of your results.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until there are no discrepancies between hypothesis and experiment and/or observation.
Science is a Paradigm
A philosophical and theoretical framework of a scientific school or discipline within which theories, laws, and generalizations and the experiments performed in support of them are formulated; broadly : a philosophical or theoretical framework of any kind
Merriam-Webster.com
Science can be Wrong
• Results are influenced by the subjectivity of the researchers– Phrenology– N-Rays
Reliability and Validity
• Reliability is the extent to which an experiment, test, or any measuring procedure yields the same result on repeated trials
• Validity refers to the degree to which a study accurately reflects or assesses the specific concept that the researcher is attempting to measure
Writing@CSU: Writing Guide
What is Technology?
• The discipline dealing with the art or science of applying scientific knowledge to practical problems
WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University
So . . .
• Science = the search for reliable and valid knowledge
• Technology = the application of knowledge
What’s Magic?
• Suitably advanced or misunderstood technology
• Deception passed off as supernatural phenomenon
Why do we privilege Science?
• Scientific Method is currently the best system
• Focus on natural, observable phenomenon
• Belief that “Science” is unbiased– Politics– Funding
Break
James Randi
• Continuation of work started by Houdini
• Leading voice in Skeptic Community
• McCarthy Foundation Grant
• Paranormal Challenge - $1 million
• James Randi Educational Foundation
Break
What is Pseudoscience?
• “Pseudo” = artificial
• Attempts to gain legitimacy by imitating scientific methods
• Start with answer– Find data to support– Ignore conflicting evidence
Example
• Ivory soap - "99.44/100% Pure: It Floats“
• Mixture is unidentified – what’s “pure”?
• What does “floating” have to due with purity?– Air bubbles mixed in – therefore impure– A boat floats, is it “pure”?
Criteria for Determining Pseudoscience• Is anecdotal evidence cited?
– Individual stories, testimonies– Testimonial statements not FTC regulated
• Does the claim fit with existing knowledge?
• What kind of reasoning has been used?– Post hoc, ergo propter hoc– “After this, therefore because of this”
Baloney Detection Collection
Criteria for Determining Pseudoscience
• Is it possible to test the claim?– Elimination of plausible influences
• Are sources cited?– Unbiased– Credible
• If sampled, how was the sample obtained?
Baloney Detection Collection
Criteria for Determining Pseudoscience
• Is “conspiracy theory” used to support claims?– Doctors– The government– Big corporations
Baloney Detection Collection
Criteria
• Anecdotal evidence?
• Fit with existing knowledge?
• Reasoning?
• Possible to test?
• Sources cited?
• How was the sample obtained?
• Conspiracy theory?
For Tues.
• Set up Identities and Blogs
• Post on the Question of the Week
• Read– A rape in cyberspace (link on website)– Part 1 - Hackers