BIO 1130 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Physicalism, Outline Of Physical Science, Natural Science

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Biology
• Course: BIO 1130
• Professor: Jon Houseman

Document Summary

The dominant and the most important science. Single falsification enough for a theory to abandon a theory. More than physical and chemical laws (genetics) Could not know whether if it could be applied elsewhere. Rutherford: nothing but a bunch of stamp collectors . Very little work in the form of numerics. Back then, was not aware of genetic influence. Single falsification not necessary to abandon a theory. Trying to derive or explain, becomes easy to see pattern. Only can get a range of responses. Hard to study variability, coming from the genetic origins. Natural science theories aren"t universal until you find the evidence from elsewhere. How? (proximate cause) or why? (ultimate causes) E. g. getting rid of insects, but amount of insecticide needed rises throughout the years, insects are developing resistance, E. g. in history genes were developed in response to plant poison, thus currently enzymes are being created faster, etc. Makes a general statement to the specific.