ESS104H1 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Stephen Jay Gould, Karl Popper, Thomas Kuhn
Document Summary
"changes in theory are the work of creative imagination influenced by social and political forces" -stephen jay gould (1977) Theory: set of explanations, all supported by facts, leading to consistent conclusions. "popper"s sieve": useful hypothesis is the one we try to falsify. Scientific revolution happens when paradigms shift or new observations arise. Explain and unify findings--> deduce laws of nature by pure reason starting from axiom of math to belief in god-->experiments needed to verify that the laws deduction was correct. Evidence from experience and experiments, leads to conclusions. Explore and find what needs explanation-->experiment freely--> induce laws of nature by accumulated facts. Specific to broad hypothesis (observation leads to pattern) Magnetic field related to rotation of body (faster rotation=stronger field) Consequence: shield should be weaker as you move deeper into the earth (not accepted) Magnetic field originated in liquid metallic core of the planet. Consequence: field should become stronger as we go deeper (accepted)
