The document discusses the nature of science by addressing three main questions: what exists in the natural world, how the natural world works, and how it came to be this way. It explains that science works through principles, processes, characteristics, and a cultural context. Specifically, it notes that science aims to explain the natural world through evidence-based testing of explanations, uses logical processes like reasoning and falsification, reaches tentative conclusions, and is undertaken by humans who can be influenced by preconceptions.

1. The Nature of Science

2. Three Questions: 1) What Is There? 2) How Does It Work? 3) How Did It Come To Be This Way? Fossil image courtesy of Diane Erwin, UCMP.

3. Science Works in 4 Specific Ways : Principles, Processes, Characteristics, & through a Cultural Context Image from evolution.berkeley.edu website.

4. 1-Science has Principles (3) Explain the natural world Explanations tested with evidence from the natural world We can learn about the natural world by gathering evidence Images from evolution.berkeley.edu website.

5. 2- Science Is A Process (4) Scientific claims are based on reasoning, testing, and replication; “ falsifiable ” Parsimony “ THE” Scientific Method? Theories are central to scientific thinking. Images from evolution.berkeley.edu website.

6. 3- Characteristics of Science (4) Conclusions are reliable, though tentative Science is not democratic Science is non-dogmatic Science cannot make moral or aesthetic decisions. Image from evolution.berkeley.edu website. Rosa californica , courtesy of G. L. Smith.

7. 4- Science Exists in a Cultural Context (3) Science is not always a direct ascent toward the truth. Science corrects itself. Science is a human endeavor: a) Falling in love with one’s own hypothesis b) Being drawn in by preconceptions Image from evolution.berkeley.edu website.