Science as a belief system 1
- Created by: chicalatina
- Created on: 27-03-14 09:32
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- Science as a belief system 1
- Impact of science
- Medicine, transport, communication, technology has all advanced through the use of science.
- But has caused problems too: wars, polution, weapons of mas destruction.
- Different to other belief systems as it is a cognitive power: enables us to explain, predict and control the world.
- Open and closed belief systems
- Popper - science is an 'open' belief system as scientists theories can be criticised and tested by others.
- Governed by falsificationism where they try to test existing theories to see if they are valid through experiments and observations.
- Enables scientific understanding of the world as it is cumulative - building on previous achievements to develop a greater understanding.
- Criticisms
- No theory can be taken as defiantly true as it can be easily proven wrong by evidence that disproves it.
- Closed - Herton - religion and magic are closed as they make knowledge-claims that cannot be successfully overturned.
- CUDOS norms
- Merton - science only thrives in major social institutions if it receives support from other institutions.
- E.g. England - due to Protestant Reformation which stressed social welfare which attracted science to produce technological inventions to improve the conditions of life.
- Sees science as an organised social activity has a set of norms that promote the growth of knowledge by encouraging openness.
- Communism - knowledge must be shared with the scientific community.
- Universalism - scientific knowledge is judged by universal, objective criteria (testing).
- Dis- interestedness - seeking knowledge for its own sake.
- Organised Scepticism - every theory is open to criticism and testing.
- Merton - science only thrives in major social institutions if it receives support from other institutions.
- Witchcraft
- Azande believe natural events have nautral causes and misfortune is due to someone practising witchcraft against them.
- This is a belief system as it performs useful social functions such as preventing grudges and encourages neighbours to behave considerately.
- This belief system is an important social control mechanism ensuring conformity and cooperation.
- Framework of ideas that allows individuals to make sense of the world. It can go beyond ideologies and take on religious explanations.
- Impact of science
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