Human Flourishing in terms of Science & Technology

Scientific Method
• Throughout the years in school, the scientific method presented a general way of conducting scientific work. Although
the number of steps varies, generally it includes the following:

1) Observation to see if there are unexplained occurrences that are unfolding.

2) Determination of the problems to come up with unanswered questions which need to be
solved.
3) Formulation of a hypothesis an intelligent guess, or possible way of solving the determined
problem.
4) Experimentation or testing of the hypothesis to get data on how the factors which had
contributed to the problem affect each other.
5) Analysis of results or data gathered to come up with possible solutions to the identified
problems.
6) Formulation of conclusions and provide recommendations to be able to solve the determined
problems.
Theories that Distinguish
Philosophy and Science
 Verification Theory

This theory proposes that a discipline is a science if

it can be confirmed or interpreted in the event of an
alternative hypothesis being accepted, if it can be
verified. This means that a discipline is a science if
its results are measurable and the experiments used
to gather data can be replicated (repeated).
The Vienna Circle, an early 20th century group of scholars in Austria
forwarded that only those that can be observed should be regarded as
meaningful, those which cannot be directly proven are meaningless.
Vienna Circle, a group of philosophers, scientists, and
mathematicians formed in the 1920s that met regularly
in Vienna to investigate scientific language and
scientific methodology.
Initially, the verification theory promoted by the Vienna
Circle was strongly supported, until the rise of
discoveries in physics that cannot be easily seen.

This theory, as pointed out by

American philosopher Thomas
Kuhn, is prone to biased
interpretation of evidences.
He illustrated it with this short story:

Suppose for instance, a girl, Lea, has a theory that her classmate Ian likes
her. Good, she thought, I like him too. But how do I know that he likes me?

She began by observing him and his interactions with her. Several gestures
she noted include his always exchanging pleasantries with her whenever they
bump into each other, his big smile when he sees her, and him going out of his
way to greet her.
Through these observations, she was then able to conclude that Ian does like
her because, she thought, why would anyone do something like that for a
person he does not like? As it turns out, however, Ian is just generally happy
to meet people he knew.
He had known Lea since they were in first year and regards her as a
generally okay person. It is no surprise then that upon learning that Ian
basically does this to everyone, Lea was crushed.

She vowed to herself that she would never assume again.

 Question: Is it justified for Lea to think that Ian does not like her?
Suppose for instance, a girl, Lea, has a theory that her classmate Ian likes her.
Good, she thought, I like him too. But how do I know that he likes me?
She began by observing him and his interactions with her. Several gestures she
noted include his always exchanging pleasantries with her whenever they bump
into each other, his big smile when he sees her, and him going out of his way to
greet her. Through these observations, she was then able to conclude that Ian
does like her because, she thought, why would anyone do something like
that for a person he does not like? As it turns out, however, Ian is just
generally happy to meet people he knew. He had known Lea since they were
in first year and regards her as a generally okay person. It is no surprise then
that upon learning that Ian basically does this to everyone, Lea was crushed.
She vowed to herself that she would never assume again.
 Falsification Theory
This theory by Karl Popper proposes if an idea or ideology cannot be proven false, and
that idea can best explain a phenomenon better than other theories, then that idea is
acceptable. Falsification theory encourages research to determine which can stand the test
of falsification.
Scientific theory should
make predictions that
can be tested, and the
theory should be
rejected if these
predictions are shown
not to be correct.
(Popper)
Inductive reasoning involves
drawing general conclusions
based on specific observations
or patterns, moving from
specific instances to broader
generalizations.

In science, deductive reasoning

tests or verifies these hypotheses
by deriving specific predictions
or expectations that can be
tested through experimentation
or further observation.
• For example, the hypothesis that “all swans
are white” can be falsified by observing a
black swan.
 However, the same with verification theory, interpretation of ideas can still be prone to
bias. A reinstatement of the short story presented illustrates this:

Ian is generally everybody’s friend. He likes to be around people and

generally aspires to become everybody’s friend. However, there is this one
girl, Lea, who seemed to not like him when he is around. Every time he
waves at her, she turns away, and when they are in the same room, she
avoids his glances. Through this, he concluded that Lea does not like him,
and he does his best to show her that he is not a threat.

He began greeting her whenever they pass by each other at the corridor,
even going out of his way to call her attention when he sees her walking
past. When they are able to talk to each other, he found out that Lea is just
really shy and is not accustomed to people greeting her. He then was able
to conclude that his initial impression of her not liking him (as a person) is
wrong and thus the said proposition is rejected.
 Ian is generally everybody’s friend. He likes to be around people and
generally aspires to become everybody’s friend. However, there is this one
girl, Lea, who seemed to not like him when he is around. Every time he
waves at her, she turns away, and when they are in the same room, she
avoids his glances. Through this, he concluded that Lea does not like him,
and he does his best to show her that he is not a threat.

He began greeting her whenever they pass by each other at the corridor,
even going out of his way to call her attention when he sees her walking
past. When they are able to talk to each other, he found out that Lea is just
really shy and is not accustomed to people greeting her. He then was able
to conclude that his initial impression of her not liking him (as a person) is
wrong and thus the said proposition is rejected.

From the story above, we can see that the falsification method
is also prone to generalizations committed by the verification
method.
 Applying Scientific Method

1. Making observation and stating the problem

2. Formulating the hypothesis

3. Testing the hypothesis

4. Stating the conclusion

https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/intro-to-biology/science-of-biology/a/the-science-of-biology
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/intro-to-biology/science-of-biology/a/the-science-of-biology
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/intro-to-biology/science-of-biology/a/the-science-of-biology
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/intro-to-biology/science-of-biology/a/the-science-of-biology
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/intro-to-biology/science-of-biology/a/the-science-of-biology
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/intro-to-biology/science-of-biology/a/the-science-of-biology
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/intro-to-biology/science-of-biology/a/the-science-of-biology
 Applying Scientific Method

1. Making observation and stating the problem

2. Formulating the hypothesis

3. Testing the hypothesis

4. Stating the conclusion