Hi TIPSters: I've been having some conversations lately with my students about science and values and wanted to post a general query to the list.
One of our texts describes the scientific method as "the principles and empirical processes of discovery and demonstration considered characteristic of or necessary for scientific investigation, generally involving the observation of phenomena, the formulation of a hypothesis concerning the phenomena, experimentation to demonstrate the truth or falseness of the hypothesis, and a conclusion that validates or modifies the hypothesis." Our discussion has been revolving around the issue of values as it relates to the scientific method. Is the scientific method is a value-neutral process or a process that is based upon a set of inherent values or underlying presuppositions. If so, what are the inherent values or presuppositions upon which it is based? A related discussion has been the application of evidence that is derived from the scientific method. Does the scientific method offer any guidance as to how scientific evidence should be applied, or is the application of scientific evidence (ethics?) based upon other factors? What are the underlying values or presuppositions that we use when we decide how we should apply scientific evidence? As an example, the Human Genome Project can help us to identify all the approximately 30,000 genes in human DNA and determine the sequences of the 3 billion chemical base pairs that make up human DNA, but does the scientific method tell us how we should apply the information that we discover? Looking forward to your responses. Rod ______________________________________________ Roderick D. Hetzel, Ph.D. Department of Psychology LeTourneau University Post Office Box 7001 2100 South Mobberly Avenue Longview, Texas 75607-7001 Office: Heath-Hardwick Hall 115 Phone: 903-233-3312 Fax: 903-233-3476 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Homepage: http://www.letu.edu/people/rodhetzel --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.325 / Virus Database: 182 - Release Date: 2/19/2002 --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
