Lecture 1 - Doing Science and Doing Theology

1. Scientist observes. Drop something: it falls.
2. Thinks about it. Why down and not up? 
3. Proposes theory. There's a "force". 
4. Gives it a name. "Gravity". 
5. Makes predictions and other observations. Motion of the Moon?
6. New observations confirm theory or not -> maybe need to refine theory.

Force proportional to (mass)/(distance)²

• Uranus orbit irregularity -> Neptune
• Mercury orbit irregularity -> Vulcan XXXXX -> need General Relativity!

Scientific method (Hypothetico-deductive method).

• Observation
• Theory
• Prediction

  Test predictions by further observations

  • True: Theory confirmed
  • False: Theory needs refinement

1. Gravity still a mystery - Why do 2 masses attract?
2. Do we really understand?
3. Systematize our knowledge.
4. Scientist must be humble.

Sometimes many facts and theories combine.

• Fault lines
• Subsidence measurements
• Oceanic ridges on charts
• Magnetometer readings -> Plate Tectonics
• Prehistoric reversals of Earth's magnetic field

 Facts are rarely "naked facts" - usually perceived in context of some theory we are seeking to verify.

Science proceeds in other ways:

(a) serendipity (luck) e.g. Becquerel Kekule

(b) Blind experiment

(c) Hammer method.

 Only ONE observation will disprove theory.

100 observations in favour do not PROVE it! Only make it more plausible. Fundamental asymmetry.

[But be careful of other influences]

How does religion develop?

Primitive - fetishes, taboos, superstitions and sacrifices - now mostly extinct.

e.g. Mayan rain god Chaak.

Reformation Christian church creeds "always reforming" - need to agree with experience.

Scientific discoveries = "experience"

Paradigms - governing models that, in some fairly broad range of experience, set the context of explanation and intelligibility.

Scientific paradigms

• Newton's absolute space-time <-> Einstein's relativity
• Fixity of species <-> Evolution of species

Religious paradigms

• God is love. God predestines all. Israel is a chosen people. Muhammad is God's messenger. The atman (innermost self) is Brahman (the divine absolute).

Abandoned religious paradigms

• All disease is due to demon-possession.
• The three-story universe
  • heaven
  • earth
  • hell
•  One can purchase relief from purgatory by buying indulgences.

Some paradigms people cling to "no matter what" and become an ideology or a "blik".

Blik is a theory grown arrogant

Further Information

Contact

• Associate Professor Robert J. Stening