From the Paper "The question of observability as examined by Bas C. Van Fraassen and others is an issue of knowledge, of acceptable evidence, of the proper means for testing hypotheses, and of understanding the nature of scientific empiricism. Van Fraassen states that observability has clear limits in science, limits which he attempts to elucidate through examples and analysis. He finds that scientific theory must serve to explain what is observable to be accepted.
Van Fraassen begins by considering the opposition between empiricism and realism, leading to a consideration of the nature of observability from an empirical standpoint. In part, difficulties over the issue of observability can be seen as deriving from the progress of science over time. In earlier periods, realists held sway and depended on observability--what ..."
Abstract This paper explores the fundamentals of the faith-based scientific ideology, scientific realism. The author takes a close look at the ideas and opinions of realists and anti-realists concluding that anti-realists, though many of their criticisms are valid, are often as likely to fall prey to the same lack of critical evaluation that they claim to plague scientific realism.
From the Paper "Mach's argument could have been improved if he failed to accept contemporary arguments for the existence of sub-molecular particles until evidence existed that proved him wrong. In doing so, he would evoke a methodology in modern thought that many find credible: that which holds that scientific realism lacks the weight of true evidence and is more the matter of opinion than of critical inquiry and objective thought.
Scientific realism is a faith-based scientific ideology, one that maintains that we are warranted in believing in the unseen if it is posited by best explained and most popular scientific theories, which dominate by sheer weight of authority. In this sense it creates a mutualistic error - in trusting the consensus of beliefs among others were are most likely to emulate their mistakes. While mired in dogma, we can?t purport to achieve paradigm changes in thought or in reaching a new and better methodology with which to evaluate and comprehend phenomena both material and immaterial. Although the discourse of empiricists remains of interest to us, it must be remembered that every new scientific idea that is posited as contrary to existing beliefs of the nature of science and existence faces not only critical inquiry but also the inertia maintained by generations of adherents that revere even the least factually justifiable ideologies."
Tags: mach, anti-realist, van, frassen, science, critical, thinking
Abstract The paper examines the Islamic ritual object Kaa?ba importance. It describes the origins of many religious rituals would be unknown and an important part of religious history would have been lost. The paper the depicts the actual object, its location and the yearly pilgrimage, the haj, during Ramadan.
From the Paper "With the recent conflicts in the Middle East, more and more attention has been focused on what it means to be a believer in Islam, a Muslim. Around the world, over a billion people practice Islam, yet the details of this fascinating and unique religion are all but unknown in the United States. Islam, unlike Catholicism and Judaism, does not have many obvious symbolic artifacts."
Tags:ba, islam, ka, religion, Muhammad, islamic, hajj, umra, black, stone, mecca, five, pillars, ramadan, abraham
Abstract This paper examines the Japanese influence on the art of Vincent van Gogh. It discusses the elements of Japanese art which attracted him and why. The author explores specific works produced by van Gogh that illustrate the Japanese influence.
From the Paper "Dutch artist, Vincent van Gogh, produced his world-renowned art in just a ten-year period. His influence on the century's art is considerable but the formative influences on his own art are also greatly significant in terms of his development as an artist, Van Gogh ..."
Abstract This paper reviews and discusses the short story 'Rip van Winkle', written by Washington Irving. According to the paper, the story of 'Rip van Winkle' features comic tension and interplay between the chronological, and political, present and past.
From the Paper " Irving comically implies, considering the circumstances of Dame van Winkle's death, that it is unhealthy to live filled with pique; anger, and anxiety (often the stuff of human drive and "progress"): she "broke a blood-vessel in a fit of passion at a New England pedlar sic]" (Irving, "Rip van Winkle", 1819). In contrast, Rip takes life as it comes; lives long, and gains respect and affection from the next generation, having now reached "that happy age when a man can do nothing with impunity" (Irving). Therefore, Rip now "took his place once more on the bench, at the inn door, and was reverenced as one of the patriarchs of the village, and a chronicle of the old times "before the war." ("Rip Van Winkle"). "
Tags: ambition, Dame, van, Winkle, misery, protracted, sleep, respect
Abstract The paper considers Irving's "Rip Van Winkle" as an exercise in nostalgia. The paper answers the question: What is the price of social progress?
From the Paper ""Rip Van Winkle" The Price of Social Progress. Washington Irving's short story "Rip Van Winkle" is often considered the first truly American folk tale. Indeed while Irving borrows elements from the German tradition, the setting and historical context are so distinctly American that the reader is given a glimpse into the early cultural landscape of the nation. Even within the story itself the idea of the past is central as Rip's slumbers allows for a comparison between the pre and post-Revolutionary worlds."
Tags: rip van winkle, irving, social progress, change, revolutionary war, nostalgia
Abstract Thomas S. Kuhn's structural account on the production of scientific knowledge constructs a generalized picture of the process by which a science is born and undergoes change and development. This paper explains that for Kuhn, science is a social system. It looks at how Kuhn analyzes the structure of scientific revolutions using several key concepts. He uses the term paradigm for an archetypal experiment or problem solution that implicitly tells scientists how to look at the world. This paper discusses how Kuhn's thesis about scientific authority utilizes the notion of normal science which he defines as science that uses a past achievement as a model and guide for formulating and solving new problems about the world which are based on paradigms. In addition, scientific revolutions occur when one paradigm is replaced by another. The writer also explains that as a result, paradigms play an important role in both normal science and scientific revolutions.
From the Paper "The production of scientific knowledge undergoes six main steps. The first is a pre-paradigm stage in which the natural phenomena that later form the subject matter of a mature science are studied and explained from widely differing points of view. Next comes the emergence of a paradigm, embodied in the published works of one or more recognized scientists, defining and exemplifying the concepts and methods of research appropriate to the study of a certain class of natural phenomena, and serving as an inspiration to further research by its promise of success in explaining those phenomena. The third stage in the development of scientific knowledge is a period of normal science in which theories are explored and scientific puzzles are solved. A critical stage is the discovery of natural phenomena that violate the expectations governed by paradigms. In this stage, new theories are designed to explain these anomalous facts and then an abrupt transition to a new paradigm takes place in which a new conceptual and methodological framework arises which replaces the old. The final stage in the structure of scientific knowledge is the continuation of normal science within the new paradigm. This continues until the whole process repeats itself."
Abstract This paper reviews Thomas Kuhn's book about scientific advances entitled "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions." The paper focuses on several key elements and definitions in the work, with an emphasis on the concept of the scientific paradigm. The reviewer then discusses the role of paradigms in scientific revolutions, citing Kuhn's theory that revolutions appear when an old paradigm is substituted by a new one. Finally, the paper presents Kuhn's view of the past, present, evolution and future of science. The reviewer further describes Kuhn's view of the importance of crises in facilitating the evolution of science. The review concludes that Kuhn 's theory of paradigm and paradigm shifts gives a revolutionary description of scientific progress.
Outline:
Thomas Kuhn's Concept of Paradigm
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
The Past, Present, Evolution and Future of Science
Reference List
From the Paper " First of all, Kuhn (1996) introduces the notion of "normal science", that is, according to him, the science that bases its research on previous research which is recognized as valid by a scientific community. (p.10) It is the structure of normal science that the book proposes to investigate. Furthermore, Kuhn (1996) argues that the most salient aspect of scientific evolution in time is the fact that science does not progress through leaps or through unrelated sets of investigations. On the contrary, scientific research is always conducted under a paradigm, or, to put it differently, all research is based on previous scientific data. The scientific paradigm can be defined as a certain common pattern in scientific research, or a certain set of accepted world views that are held as true for a period of time. The paradigm is thus a set of common beliefs about the world, based on past research. "
Abstract This paper describes the steps involved in the scientific method and gives some examples of the concepts involved in the idea. It describes some experiments which used scientific method, and defines what is needed to make a hypothesis.
From the Paper "The scientific method consists of a number of logical steps that are taken to verify a process situation or scientific fact. It begins by the development of axioms and assumptions which are usually made on the basis of observations by the scientists, e.g., Vesalius made the first accurate description of the arterial and venous systems of the human body based on first-hand observations he gained from dissection of a number of human bodies. "The accuracy of observations gains..."
Abstract In this article, the writer explores the scientific method. The writer describes and defines the phrase scientific method. The writer then studies how the scientific method is used. In this paper, the writer outlines an example of use of the method in order to determine why the grass on one lawn is dead, while that on the neighbor's lawn is healthy.
From the Paper "The scientific method is the process by which scientists collectively over time construct an accurate representation of the world. The first step is to observe and describe some phenomenon which is of interest. Next a hypothesis is developed to explain the phenomenon. In the third step, the hypothesis is used to make predictions about new phenomena or the results of these new phenomena. Fourthly, these predictions are tested by experimentation or further observation. Steps three and four are then repeated until consistent results are obtained. This often ... "
Abstract This paper discusses whether or not Americans today are scientifically illiterate. The author makes comparisons to other countries, and discusses what a scientifically aware person should be able to understand.
From the Paper "The question about whether science education in America is adequate enough has been raised over the past few decades. People claim that they are scientifically aware and are quite capable of irrational thinking. On the other hand, surveys have been conducted to show that most people are, in fact, ?scientifically illiterate.? One would expect that if a nation truly was scientifically aware, than at least half the population would be able to correctly answer simple problems about the Earth and the elements within this planet. However, according to a new survey conducted by the National Science Foundation, ?only about 23 percent of those adults understand the nature of scientific inquiry well enough to make informed judgments about those science stories.?
Tags: literate, scientifically, awareness, education, science, knowledge, information, population, society
Comparing three articles - "I Want to Be Miss America" by Julie Alvarez; "My Inner Shrimp" by Garry Trudeau and "Victoria's Not-So-Secret Strategy" by Marisa Kula - which deal with how sociey has physical expectations of a person and beauty image.
Abstract Current society is one where body image or looks is central to self image. Movies, television, beauty products, diet programs and exercise programs are all reminders of this. Every person in society is haunted by the image of what they should look like. This paper focuses on three essays, each which argue something different about the impact of our need to look a certain way. Alverez's shows what happens when a person cannot obtain the ideal look society dictates. Trudeau's shows that even if the ideal is attained, the impact on the person lingers while also showing that it is not only an issue for women. Finally, Kula shows how companies like Victoria's Secret project these images and make profit by fooling women into believing they can be the ideal. This paper considers these essays and the impact of body image and shows how living up to an ideal set by society impacts on everyone's life, whether or not that ideal can be attained. The writer concludes that the end result of this is low self-esteem for all individuals, even if some of those ideals can be attained.
From the Paper "1. The Alvarez family's ritual of watching the Miss America pageant is so important to Alvarez and her sisters because it represents what they could be. The Alverez's come from a culture where women can only be wives and mothers. The Miss America pageant represents that in America, they can aspire to more than that. The Miss America pageant also represents what it means to be American, something the Alverez sisters are trying to find out so they can fit into their new environment."
Abstract This paper provides an overview of the religious philosophies and teachings of Scholasticism and Humanism, followed by a discussion of the various permutations these have caused since their inception. It provides an analysis of how the scientific method emerged from this environment and a description of real-world applications of these principles in the classroom today. This is followed by a summary of the research in the conclusion. Several graphics are also provided.
Outline
Introduction
Review and Discussion
The History of Discovery
A. Physics
B. Astronomy
C. Chemistry
The Rise of Scientific Experimentation and Famous Experiments
A. Galileo
B. Newton
Methodology
Conclusion
From the Paper "Religious Philosophies and Teachings. Scholasticism is the philosophic and theological movement that attempted to use natural human reason, in particular, the philosophy and science of Aristotle, to understand the supernatural content of Christian revelation. It was dominant in the medieval Christian schools and universities of Europe from about the middle of the 11th century to about the middle of the 15th century. The ultimate ideal of the movement was to integrate into an ordered system both the natural wisdom of Greece and Rome and the religious wisdom of Christianity."
Abstract The paper shows that diagnostic imaging is a rapidly growing healthcare industry that involves the application of electromagnetic radiation to create images of internal structures of the human body with the goal of providing an accurate diagnosis of the patient's condition. It points out that a common theme in the literature review is the need for an increased receptiveness on the part of all healthcare practitioners, both senior clinicians as well as those in training, to improve interdisciplinary activities, as well as more effective communications and collaboration among the various imaging subspecialties. Regrettably, the same market forces that have driven the rapid growth of diagnostic imaging for the benefit of the healthcare consumer are the same forces that are fueling the growing tendency to use these techniques unnecessarily or for inappropriate purposes. The writer points out, however, that there are a lot of imaging machines out there that are going to require skilled and competent technicians to operate them.
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Background and Overview
Diagnostic Imaging Today
Identifying Effective Supervisory Techniques in Support of a Constructive Clinical Learning Experience
Current and Future Trends
Bibliography
From the Paper " According to Anreson and Carroll, "These external accrediting agencies for specialized services provide a means to legitimate the organization. Internal participants also make legitimacy evaluations that can affect their own levels of involvement and motivation" (p. 36). Just as the Holy Bible points out that "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other" (Matthew 6:24, KJV), Anreson and Carroll note that one or another of these internal or external assessments may represent the most important at any given time within certain areas of the organization and different sources of legitimacy may conflict with one another.
A fundamental consideration in this regard concerns the need for changing an organizational component that is not going to be easily changed. According to Amy C. Edmondson's essay, "Framing for Learning: Lessons in Successful Technology Implementation" (2003), "The decision to bring a new, innovative technology into a complex organization is only the first step in an implementation journey. Many new technologies disrupt existing organizational routines and relationships, requiring potential users to re-learn how to work together--a challenge that usually proves more difficult than anticipated" (p. 34). As a result, any type of new technology will cause the subsequent implementation process to take place along a variety of paths that are determined less by the unique qualities of the technology itself than by a complex interaction between the technology and the adopting organization. Edmonson suggests that "Those participating in an implementation effort may have considerable leeway in how to interpret the technology's benefits and challenges, and so the same technology can be seen differently and can elicit different responses, even in organizations that may appear quite similar (p. 35)."
Abstract This paper summarizes the steps of the scientific method. In this article, the writer offers an example of scientific method through the discussion of an experiment conducted using such method. In the second part, the paper explains the differences between living and non living things. The writer also discusses why some people believe that fire is a living thing. The writer concludes by explaining why fire is not living.
From the Paper "The scientific method is a method of analyzing a scientific problem in a systematic way. In this method the scientist does not make assumptions, leap to conclusions, or make decisions based on feeling. This method is strictly based on observable facts. The five basic steps to the scientific method are research problem hypothesis problem, experimentation and project conclusion. To initiate an investigation, the scientist first selects a project topic to investigate. Then he researches it by collecting information on it from a variety of sources ... "
Tags: biology, scientific method, living things, nonliving things, fire
