Presentation is loading. Please wait.

Presentation is loading. Please wait.

HOW DO YOU K NOW WHAT YOU K NOW? Or at least what you think you know? HOW DO YOU K NOW WHAT YOU K NOW? Or at least what you think you know? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Similar presentations


Presentation on theme: "HOW DO YOU K NOW WHAT YOU K NOW? Or at least what you think you know? HOW DO YOU K NOW WHAT YOU K NOW? Or at least what you think you know? ? ? ? ? ? ?"— Presentation transcript:

1 HOW DO YOU K NOW WHAT YOU K NOW? Or at least what you think you know? HOW DO YOU K NOW WHAT YOU K NOW? Or at least what you think you know? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

2 1. Personal Experience through the five senses. I know a bee sting hurts; I know how to ride a bike. 1. Personal Experience through the five senses. I know a bee sting hurts; I know how to ride a bike. 2. Reliance on Authority. I know the sun is 93 million miles away; Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. 2. Reliance on Authority. I know the sun is 93 million miles away; Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. 3. Logic. I know 2 million + 2 million = 4 million, even though I’ve never counted that high. I know I have a brain, even though I’ve never seen it. 3. Logic. I know 2 million + 2 million = 4 million, even though I’ve never counted that high. I know I have a brain, even though I’ve never seen it. 4. Feeling or Intuition. I know she’s the one for me; I know God has called me to the ministry. 4. Feeling or Intuition. I know she’s the one for me; I know God has called me to the ministry. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “KNOW” SOMETHING? 5. Wishful Thinking (you really want it to be true) I just know I’m going to win the lottery! 5. Wishful Thinking (you really want it to be true) I just know I’m going to win the lottery! 6. Bluffing (lying) - you try to persuade others for an ulterior motive. You should buy these tickets from me because I know this team is going to the Super Bowl this year; I know this bone is from an ape-man. 6. Bluffing (lying) - you try to persuade others for an ulterior motive. You should buy these tickets from me because I know this team is going to the Super Bowl this year; I know this bone is from an ape-man.

3 WHERE DID SCIENCE COME FROM? Eastern Philosophy 1. The physical universe is an illusion. 1. The physical universe is an illusion. RESULT: There is no point in studying nature. RESULT: There is no point in studying nature. 2. There is no such thing as objective reality. 2. There is no such thing as objective reality. 3. Because of this, it is not possible to accu- rately measure the uni- verse or know things about it with certainty. 3. Because of this, it is not possible to accu- rately measure the uni- verse or know things about it with certainty. Western Philosophy RESULT: The Scientific Method. RESULT: The Scientific Method. 1. The physical universe is real. 1. The physical universe is real. 2. There is such a thing as objective reality. 2. There is such a thing as objective reality. 3. It is possible to accu- rately measure the uni- verse and know things about it with varying degrees of certainty. 3. It is possible to accu- rately measure the uni- verse and know things about it with varying degrees of certainty. Science owes its very existence to Western philosophy. Science owes its very existence to Western philosophy.

4 Though Eastern philosophy says the universe is just an illusion, those who claim to believe it still look both ways before they cross the street. They know that bus is really real! Though Eastern philosophy says the universe is just an illusion, those who claim to believe it still look both ways before they cross the street. They know that bus is really real!

5 1. Personal Experience through the five senses. I know a bee sting hurts; I know how to ride a bike. 1. Personal Experience through the five senses. I know a bee sting hurts; I know how to ride a bike. 2. Reliance on Authority. I know the sun is 93 million miles away; Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. 2. Reliance on Authority. I know the sun is 93 million miles away; Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. 3. Logic. I know 2 million + 2 million = 4 million, even though I’ve never counted that high. I know I have a brain, even though I’ve never seen it. 3. Logic. I know 2 million + 2 million = 4 million, even though I’ve never counted that high. I know I have a brain, even though I’ve never seen it. 4. Feeling or Intuition. I know she’s the one for me; I know God has called me to the ministry. 4. Feeling or Intuition. I know she’s the one for me; I know God has called me to the ministry. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “KNOW” SOMETHING? 5. Wishful Thinking (you really want it to be true) I just know I’m going to win the lottery! 5. Wishful Thinking (you really want it to be true) I just know I’m going to win the lottery! 6. Bluffing (lying) - you try to persuade others for an ulterior motive. You should buy these tickets from me because I know this team is going to the Super Bowl this year; I know this bone is from an ape-man. 6. Bluffing (lying) - you try to persuade others for an ulterior motive. You should buy these tickets from me because I know this team is going to the Super Bowl this year; I know this bone is from an ape-man.

6 REASONS TO BELIEVE OTHERS WHO TRY TO PERSUADE US OF WHAT THEY “KNOW” REASONS TO BELIEVE OTHERS WHO TRY TO PERSUADE US OF WHAT THEY “KNOW” IS IT BECAUSE: (1) They claim to have personal experience, OR (2) They appeal to an authority we trust, OR (3) We have checked out their logic and found it trustworthy? (1) They claim to have personal experience, OR (2) They appeal to an authority we trust, OR (3) We have checked out their logic and found it trustworthy? OR are we willing to trust their (4) intuition, (5) wishful thinking, or (6) bluffing? OR are we willing to trust their (4) intuition, (5) wishful thinking, or (6) bluffing?

7 How can you be absolutely sure about ANYTHING? 1. While your senses are at least somewhat reliable, there is always some uncertainty. 2. Logic can lead to incorrect conclusions. 3. Your intuition can be wrong. 1. While your senses are at least somewhat reliable, there is always some uncertainty. 2. Logic can lead to incorrect conclusions. 3. Your intuition can be wrong. The only way to reach absolute certainty would be if you had an absolutely reliable authority to tell you what’s really true. The question of whether such an authority exists is NOT part of science. The only way to reach absolute certainty would be if you had an absolutely reliable authority to tell you what’s really true. The question of whether such an authority exists is NOT part of science.

8 THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD 1. Define the problem. What do you want to know? (E.g. “Does music affect how plants grow?”) 2. Gather information about the subject. (AUTHORITY) 3. Formulate a hypothesis. 4. Devise a way to test the hypothesis. 5. Observe the results of the test. (EXPERIENCE) 6. Draw a conclusion (INDUCTIVE LOGIC) and report your results so others can repeat the test.

9 Present + Repeatable + Observable = SCIENCE Past + Non-Repeatable + Eyewitness Account = HISTORY Past + Non-Repeatable + No Eyewitnesses = BELIEF

10 WHO? WHAT? WHAT NOT? HOW? HOW TO TELL SCIENCE FROM STORYTELLING 1. WHO said they saw it? Can I trust them? 1. WHO said they saw it? Can I trust them? 2. WHAT did they actually see? 2. WHAT did they actually see? 3. WHAT are they NOT telling me? 3. WHAT are they NOT telling me? 4. HOW could I test this to see if it’s true? 4. HOW could I test this to see if it’s true? HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT?

11 WHERE DID PHYSICS COME FROM? Ancient people such as the Greeks were trying to explain the motion of the stars and planets. They made up explanations that made sense to them. However, they had no way to test them. For example, they decided the earth was completely still and everything else in the universe revolved around it in perfect circles. Ancient people such as the Greeks were trying to explain the motion of the stars and planets. They made up explanations that made sense to them. However, they had no way to test them. For example, they decided the earth was completely still and everything else in the universe revolved around it in perfect circles.

12 Based on the deductive logic of the ancient Greeks, who believed that logic always leads to truth. Testing was unimportant to them. Most famous Greek philosopher: Aristotle (inventor of the logic still used today), whose ideas were taught as fact for about 2,000 years throughout Europe, west Asia, and Africa. (Aristotle said it, I believe it, that settles it!) Based on the deductive logic of the ancient Greeks, who believed that logic always leads to truth. Testing was unimportant to them. Most famous Greek philosopher: Aristotle (inventor of the logic still used today), whose ideas were taught as fact for about 2,000 years throughout Europe, west Asia, and Africa. (Aristotle said it, I believe it, that settles it!) “SCIENCE” UNTIL THE MIDDLE AGES:

13 ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS OF A SCIENTIST: ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS OF A SCIENTIST: SKEPTICISM!SKEPTICISM! While most scientific progress occurs as we build on the work of others, the great leaps forward usually happen because someone doubted what almost everybody else thought. There is NOTHING in science that is above question. (Even gravity!)

14 DOES MEMORIZATION HAVE A PLACE IN SCIENCE (and science classes)? Yes! It is part of the knowledge we have by authority. It would be a great waste of time if you had to continually look up how much two plus two adds up to, or if you continually had to rediscover Newton’s Laws ( f = m a, etc.) But if all we did was memorize, we would never gain new knowledge that did not exist before.

15 1. INDUCTIVE. Look at many phenomena and try to discover a pattern that points to a general principle. Inductive logic tries to determine the most reasonable (most likely) conclusion. Look at many phenomena and try to discover a pattern that points to a general principle. Inductive logic tries to determine the most reasonable (most likely) conclusion. This is the heart of the scientific method. This is the heart of the scientific method. 1. INDUCTIVE. Look at many phenomena and try to discover a pattern that points to a general principle. Inductive logic tries to determine the most reasonable (most likely) conclusion. Look at many phenomena and try to discover a pattern that points to a general principle. Inductive logic tries to determine the most reasonable (most likely) conclusion. This is the heart of the scientific method. This is the heart of the scientific method. 2. DEDUCTIVE. Start with general principles accepted as true and apply them to specific cases. Start with general principles accepted as true and apply them to specific cases. Deductive logic tries to establish absolute truth, i.e., the conclusion MUST be true. Deductive logic tries to establish absolute truth, i.e., the conclusion MUST be true. 2. DEDUCTIVE. Start with general principles accepted as true and apply them to specific cases. Start with general principles accepted as true and apply them to specific cases. Deductive logic tries to establish absolute truth, i.e., the conclusion MUST be true. Deductive logic tries to establish absolute truth, i.e., the conclusion MUST be true. THE TWO TYPES OF LOGIC

16 The conclusions of inductive logic result from examination of observable phenomena (a posteriori). They are testable. The premises of deductive logic may come from inductive conclusions, or they may just be statements accepted as self-evident (a priori). They are not necessarily the result of testing. The conclusions of inductive logic result from examination of observable phenomena (a posteriori). They are testable. The premises of deductive logic may come from inductive conclusions, or they may just be statements accepted as self-evident (a priori). They are not necessarily the result of testing. CONTRASTING LOGIC

17 DEDUCTIVE LOGIC -------- HANDLE WITH CARE! DEDUCTIVE LOGIC -------- HANDLE WITH CARE!

18 Two things are necessary for deductive logic to yield reliable conclusions: 1. Correct structure. 2. True premises. Two things are necessary for deductive logic to yield reliable conclusions: 1. Correct structure. 2. True premises.

19 If P is true, then Q is true.(Major premise) P is true.(Minor premise) Therefore, Q is true.(Conclusion) If P is true, then Q is true.(Major premise) P is true.(Minor premise) Therefore, Q is true.(Conclusion) if P then Q To represent a syllogism graphically, anything inside the inner circle (“if”) is automatically inside the outer circle (“then”). To represent a syllogism graphically, anything inside the inner circle (“if”) is automatically inside the outer circle (“then”). if live in New Orleans live in La. live in U.S. live on earth Syllogisms can also be chained (transitive logic). Syllogisms can also be chained (transitive logic). DEDUCTIVE LOGIC AND SYLLOGISMS

20 If I am at Mount Everest, then I am at the highest mountain in the world. TRUE. CONVERSES IN LOGIC THE CONVERSE: If I am at the highest mountain in the world, then I am at Mount Everest. ALSO TRUE. A converse is reliable ONLY if there is an exact one-to-one match between the “If” and “Then” parts - a biconditional (“if and only if”).

21 A converse is NOT reliable if there is more than one possibility. If I am at Victoria Falls, then I am at one of the largest waterfalls in the world. TRUE. THE CONVERSE: If I am at one of the largest waterfalls in the world, then I am at Victoria Falls. FALSE. (not reliable) A COMMON FORM OF INVALID LOGIC

22 AT ONE OF THE LARGEST WATERFALLS IF AT VICTORIA FALLS IF AT NIAGARA FALLS IF AT ANGEL FALLS IF AT OTHER LARGE WATER- FALL IF AT KAIETEUR FALLS PROPER LOGIC FLOW

23 All teaching of “evolution only” in schools rests on the invalid use of a logical converse. If I am at Victoria Falls, then I am at one of the largest waterfalls in the world. TRUE. THE CONVERSE: If I am at one of the largest waterfalls in the world, then I am at Victoria Falls. FALSE. (not reliable) A COMMON EXAMPLE OF INVALID LOGIC If evolution is true, then the universe and life would exist. TRUE. THE CONVERSE: If the universe and life exist, then evolution is true. FALSE. (not reliable)

24 UNIVERSE EXISTS ATHEISTIC EVOLUTION CORRECT THEISTIC EVOLUTION CORRECT YOUNG-EARTH CREATION CORRECT SOMETHING ELSE CORRECT SOMETHING ELSE CORRECT POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS FOR THE UNIVERSE OLD-EARTH CREATION CORRECT

25 EVEN WITH CORRECT LOGIC, FALSE PREMISES CAN LEAD TO FALSE CONCLUSIONS. All dogs bark. (Or, “If an animal is a dog, then it barks.”) Snoopy is a dog. Therefore, Snoopy barks. Not if Snoopy is a Basenji! Not if Snoopy is a Basenji! Basenjis do not bark. Basenjis do not bark. If any one of our premises is wrong, then our conclusion is unreliable.

26 Euclid’s Parallel Line Postulate says that for any line, there can be only one parallel line through a point not on the first line. First line Point not on the first line Only one parallel line BUT IS IT REALLY SELF-EVIDENT? Lobachevskyan and Riemannian geometry say that space is curved, so there is no such thing as an infinitely long straight line in the sense that we understand “straight.” BUT IS IT REALLY SELF-EVIDENT? Lobachevskyan and Riemannian geometry say that space is curved, so there is no such thing as an infinitely long straight line in the sense that we understand “straight.” One says space is negatively curved so that there are an infinite number of parallel lines through a point not on a line. The other says space is positively curved so that there are no parallel lines. All lines intersect at infinity. EACH OF THE THREE IS THE BASIS OF A DIFFERENT VERSION OF GEOMETRY, BUT NONE CAN BE PROVEN. EACH OF THE THREE IS THE BASIS OF A DIFFERENT VERSION OF GEOMETRY, BUT NONE CAN BE PROVEN. POSTULATES - Statements that are taken as self-evident and accepted without proof.

27 ARISTOTLE’S MOST BASIC MISTAKE IN LOGIC: 1. He reasoned that if the stars were different distances, they should display parallax. He started with the false assumption that there was no parallax. This led him to be wrong about EVERYTHING ELSE! 2. He could not detect any parallax. 3. He decided “If I cannot see parallax then it does not exist.”

28 EXAMPLES OF INCORRECT CONCLUSIONS BASED ON FAULTY DEDUCTIVE LOGIC “Scientific” ideas of Aristotle TAUGHT AS FACT in European Universities for 2000 YEARS: 1. The earth is the center of the solar system. Falsified by Copernicus. 1. The earth is the center of the solar system. Falsified by Copernicus. 2. Heavier objects fall faster. Falsified by Galileo. 2. Heavier objects fall faster. Falsified by Galileo. 3. All objects possess an innate tendency to come to rest. Falsified by Newton. 3. All objects possess an innate tendency to come to rest. Falsified by Newton. 4. There is no such thing as an atom. Falsified by many modern scientists. 4. There is no such thing as an atom. Falsified by many modern scientists.

29 ARE YOU WILLING TO “UN-LEARN” SOME OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE LEARNED? Aristotle was wrong because he started with the assumption that if he could not see something then it did not exist. This has happened in later years too. 1.Wiedersheim and “vestigial organs” (function of appendix identified in peer-reviewed 2007 article from Duke University Medical School) THERE MAY BE MANY OTHER THINGS WE DON’T KNOW YET. 2. Schrdinger with his “quantum cat” related to radioactive decay (radioactive decay rates found to vary predictably every month -- Stanford Univ. 2010) 2. Schrödinger with his “quantum cat” related to radioactive decay (radioactive decay rates found to vary predictably every month -- Stanford Univ. 2010) 3. Many segments of DNA formerly called “pseudogenes” now have a known function. They are not “junk DNA” after all.

30 WHO? WHAT? WHAT NOT? HOW? HOW TO TELL SCIENCE FROM STORYTELLING 1. WHO said they saw it? Can I trust them? 1. WHO said they saw it? Can I trust them? 2. WHAT did they actually see? 2. WHAT did they actually see? 3. WHAT are they NOT telling me? 3. WHAT are they NOT telling me? 4. HOW could I test this to see if it’s true? 4. HOW could I test this to see if it’s true? HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT? Don’t rely on logic alone. Test everything!


Download ppt "HOW DO YOU K NOW WHAT YOU K NOW? Or at least what you think you know? HOW DO YOU K NOW WHAT YOU K NOW? Or at least what you think you know? ? ? ? ? ? ?"

Similar presentations


Ads by Google