STS

• Science is the pursuit and application of knowledge and understanding of the natural and social world following a systematic methodology based on evidence
• Science is an attempt to understand, explain, and predict the world we live in
• Religion also attempts to understand and explain the world, but it is not considered as science
• Three types of knowledge:

  • Theoretical knowledge: understanding and insights based on principles, concepts, and ideas
  • Practical knowledge: ability to apply theoretical understanding and concepts to real-world situations
  • Scientific knowledge: systematic and organized information derived from the scientific method
• Two disciplines of scientific knowledge:

  • Pure Science: seeks to expand knowledge of the natural world without aiming for practical application
  • Applied Science: focuses on the practical application of scientific knowledge to solve specific problems or meet practical needs
• Aim of scientific study: explaining the events of nature in a reproducible way and making useful predictions
• Three features of science:

  • Can use experiments to prove scientific concepts
  • Construction of theories is possible
  • Scientific theory should be falsifiable
• Pseudoscience refers to practices, beliefs, or claims presented as scientific but lack the rigorous empirical methods and evidence-based reasoning of genuine scientific inquiry
• Examples of pseudoscience:

  • Acupuncture
  • Astrology
  • Chiropractic
  • Ear Candling
  • Faith Healing
  • Feng Shui
• Non-science includes anything that does not follow the accepted principles and rules of science, such as ethics, morals, religion, and religious beliefs
• Scientific temper includes the application of logic and reasoning, avoiding bias and preconceived notions in decision-making