Falsifiability

For as long as there has been a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), it has been treated as if it contained scientific truths. Yet, is that what the DSM really is? Or, is really only a rough draft of diagnoses based on the supposed consensus of experts? This seems to be the question that drives the explanation and critique forwarded by Dr. Joel Paris in The Intelligent Clinician’s Guide to the DSM-5®. A good place to start is to envision a mental disorder as similar to that

Academic Ethical Dilemma: Learning Enhancement Through Chemistry There is a trend occurring in the academic world that is gaining in popularity and has many in the academic world worried. This trend is the increase use of drugs to enhance the brain's ability to not only work harder, longer and faster but also to retain that knowledge. "Doping" is no longer the exclusive realm of sports professionals" (Block,2003). Not only does this create opportunities for today's students to excel but it

Science is characterised by distinctive methods of enquiry and construction of theories (2). Philosophy of science is tasked with analysing the processes employed by scientists and uncovering the assumptions implicit in scientific practice (2, 12). According to Karl Popper a scientific theory ought to be falsifiable; otherwise it is merely pseudo-science (13). Scientists arrive at a set of beliefs by a process of inference (which is more often than not influenced by researcher bias). That is, deductive

Week #1: BIO 100 Power Point #1 Questions – 25 points total 1. What famous author or scientists made the following three quotes? (3 points) a) The best scientists are continually trying to prove themselves wrong” - Richard Feynman b) The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds the most discoveries, is not "Eureka! I found it!” but "That's funny……” - Isaac Asimov c) “A fact is a simple statement that everyone believes. It is innocent, unless found guilty. A hypothesis

Classical modern ideal of science is the older way of thinking about science and technology. This ideal is extremely detailed oriented. That being said, classical modern ideal is explanatory in its method. Being explanatory, research of any type is to answer or question what has no perceivable answer. Kind of like an explorer would go into a new cave and shed the light on what hid in the dark. Explanatory research must use numbers and precision ways to measure and record all data. During the deep

Alzheimer’s sheds light into the final frontier that offers much more than answering the question of the origin of disease, but the origin of mankind as a species. The difference and lack of difference in man though scientifically is drastically unequal, but hold identical impact on the focus and progression of humanity. The argument of what race is reaches its apex as race is molded into a scientific hypothesis that comes to heads with genetic universality that upon isolation breeds genomics. Do

When two people encounter a disagreement, the typical comeback statement is, “If it is true then prove it”. In the midst of an argument one might respond with, “Well, I cannot prove it but I do know it is true”. This is where the responder is incorrect, though. Science has created a system in which we can prove or disprove virtually any statement. This system is better known as the scientific method. Through research and analysis, puzzling questions can no longer be a mystery all due to the scientific

In the seventeenth century the philosopher David Hume posed the problem of induction. This problem addresses the difference between science and observations. This essay will discuss how several hundred years later Popper came in with a solution to Hume’s problem. However, many other philosophers will come a long and critique Popper’s solution. The biggest critique Popper’s solution does not follow the scientific method. With out proper scientific backing Popper’s theory is invalid. David Hume

Experimental science, the scientific method, and the utilization of common sense can effectively put an end to the belief and study of various forms of pseudoscience. The biggest question is whether pseudoscience is a harm to human beings or if it can exist peacefully as a supplement to real science. M. Pigliucci explores and expresses his opinions on the matter in chapter three of his book, Nonsense on Stilts. He explores many modern and historical examples of pseudoscience such as various "cures"

The question that ‘psychology is a Science’ motivates a substantially critical debate amongst many professions, having very strong opinions. To come to a vigorous conclusion on this subject we must take into recognition both sides of the argument, what is science, and weather Psychology meets the principles of Science. In doing this the following essay will be debating the principles of science, the scientific unifying approach, poppers opinion on whether psychology is a science through his theory