Ways of Knowing Philosophy of Thought

Religious vs Scientific Knowledge Religious Seeks answers to questions including the ultimate questions (What is my purpose? What is the meaning of life? Is there a supreme being? etc.) Scientific Can only seek answers about the natural world but cannot answer ultimate questions (Is there a god? What is the meaning of life?)

Religious vs Scientific Knowledge Religious Seek predictions on any event based on faith and belief Scientific Seek predictions about future natural events based on observational evidence and testing

Religious vs Scientific Knowledge Religious The rules may vary among the different religions Scientific Has a set of rules that must be followed in order to be called science

Religious vs Scientific Knowledge Religious Explanations are based on beliefs and faith and seek to understand and follow an ultimate purpose Scientific Explanations are based on observation, evidence, and testing

Religious vs Scientific Knowledge Religious Explanations can include supernatural forces Scientific Explanations cannot include supernatural forces

Religious vs Scientific Knowledge Religious Hypotheses need not be part of the religion nor be tested nor proved or disproved Scientific The hypothesis used in tests must be able to be disproved

Religious vs Scientific Knowledge Religious Is a belief system and seeks truths Scientific Is not a belief system nor seeks truths

Religious vs Scientific Knowledge Religious Knowledge may not change greatly over time, but may be swayed by culture Scientific Knowledge may change as new data arises

Religious vs Scientific Knowledge Religious Accepted knowledge does not need peer review or verification Scientific All knowledge must have peer review and verification

The Universe The BIG PictureBIG

Concepts in Cosmology The Cosmological Principle: any observer in any galaxy sees the same general features of the universe as any other. Homogeneity: Matter is uniformly spread throughout space. Isotropy: The universe looks the same no matter in which direction one looks. Universality: The laws of physics that work on Earth work the same in every part of the universe. Universe formed 13.7GYA Calculations refined in

Concepts in Cosmology Red-Shifted light from galaxies means that the galaxies are receding from us. Red The entire universe is expanding.

Concepts in Cosmology “Raisin bread model" Assume that you are on a particular raisin. As the loaf of bread expands in baking, the raisins that are closest to you appear to recede. The farther raisins appear to recede even faster. Those furthest away, fastest of all. Yet the bread actually expands at a constant rate. This model, with stars and galaxies as the raisins, and the universe itself as the bread, explains the red shift.

Red Shift

Concepts in Cosmology Big Bang Theory: Leads to a point of common origin for all matter This point of common origin is where everything came into being in a single instant Because time and space originated in the Big Bang, it did not occur in any specific location of space Every point in the universe was there when the Big Bang occurred, and therefore, every point in the universe is where the Big Bang happened The cosmic microwave background radiation is the echo of the Big Bang.

Concepts in Cosmology Big Bang Theory: (cont) As the universe expanded, the wave stretched-out, much like a phone cord is stretched as you walk away from the base The stretched-out wave would be very long and have very low energy Two scientists, A. Penzias and R. Wilson, discovered this radiation, experimental verification of the Big Bang. 2 billion years after the big bang

Concepts in Cosmology Future of the Universe Big Crunch: If universe is greater than the critical density, collective gravity of all the matter in the universe will stop expanding and begin to contract. Expanding Universe: If universe less than the critical density (current scientific theory), then universe will expand forever.

Teaching Science Follow your students’ curiosity Do not limit to just the benchmark standards Engage in inquiry as well as reading, technology, and discussion