Distinguishing Science from Pseudoscience
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The Earth Is Flat! Exploring the Mental Models of the Solar System in the Foundation Phase K
THE EARTH IS FLAT! EXPLORING THE MENTAL MODELS OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM IN THE FOUNDATION PHASE K. Nthimbane1, S. Ramsaroop2 & F. Naude3 University of Johannesburg [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] ABSTRACT- This paper aims at describing the changes in the mental models that foundation phase learners construct about the relationships between the Earth, the Sun and the Moon. A series of clinical interviews were conducted with Foundation phase learners at a primary school in Soweto, Johannesburg, to elicit their thinking in relation to the shape, colour and relative positions of the Earth, the Sun and the Moon. The participants in this study consisted of 10 grade R and 10 grade three learners. Learners constructed their representations of the Earth, the Sun and the Moon using clay. From this, their intuitive ideas about colours and shapes of these objects became evident. The question this research asks is: “How do learners’ concepts of the relationships between the Earth, Moon, and Sun change throughout the foundation phase?” Data was collected through interviews and video recordings and was analyzed using open coding. The findings revealed that there is a marked change between the flat Earth models that are prevalent with the grade R sample and the spherical depictions made by the grade 3 learners. The findings further show that despite the changes in representations of the shape of the Earth, most learners still hold a geocentric model of the solar system. The authors recommend that foundation phase teachers use the protocol that was developed for these interviews as a means to establish the intuitive theories that children hold before attempting to teach content relating to weather, seasons, day/night cycles and the solar system. -
Week & Date Syllabus for ASTR 1200
Week & Date Syllabus for ASTR 1200 Doug Duncan, Fall 2018 *** be sure to read "About this Course" on the class Desire 2 Learn website*** The Mastering Astronomy Course Code is there, under "Mastering Astronomy" Do assigned readings BEFORE TUESDAYS - there will be clicker questions on the reading. Reading assignments are pink on this syllabus. Homework will usually be assigned on Tuesday, due the following Tuesday Read the textbook Strategically! Focus on answering the "Learning Goals." Week 1 Introductions. The amazing age of discovery in which we live. Aug. 28 The sky and its motions. My goals for the course. What would you like to learn about? What do I expect from you? Good news/bad news. Science vs. stories about science. This is a "student centered" class. I'm used to talking (Public Radio career). Here you talk too. Whitewater river analogy: If you don't want to paddle, don't get in the boat. Grading. Cheating. Clickers and why we use them. Homework out/in Fridays. Tutorials. Challenges. How to do well in the class. [reading clicker quiz] Why employers love to hire graduates of this class! Read bottom syllabus; "Statement of Expectations" for Arts & Sciences Classes" Policy on laptops and cell phones. Registrations: Clickers, Mastering Astronomy. Highlights of what the term will cover -- a bargain tour of the universe Bloom's Taxonomy of Learning What can we observe about the stars? Magnitude and color. Visualizing the Celestial Sphere - extend Earth's poles and equator to infinity! Visualizing the local sky: atltitude and azimuth Homeworks #1, How to Use Mastering Astronomy, due Sept. -
Science Serving the Nation, Impact of Basic Research
Science Serving the Nation The Impact of Basic Research Basic Energy Sciences Science Serving the Nation The Impact of Basic Research Basic Energy Sciences BASIC ENERGY SCIENCES ENERGY ENVIRONMENT SECURITY MATERIALS SCIENCES ENGINEERING CHEMICAL GEOSCIENCES BIOSCIENCES RESEARCH UNDERSTAND PREDICT CONTROL MATTER ENERGY This document highlights the breadth of the scientific programs and the impact of this research in commerce and in advancing scientific frontiers. To look in more detail at our research portfolio and see how we manage our programs, consult our BES 2011 Summary Report, available at http://science.energy.gov/~/media/bes/pdf/reports/files/bes2011sr_rpt.pdf. Additional information about the impact of BES research can be found on our website at http://science.energy.gov/bes/. New highlights showcasing the benefits of BES programs are frequently posted to the web as they arise. Our user facility brochure (http://science.energy.gov/~/media/bes/suf/pdf/BES_Facilities.pdf) contains additional information on all of the BES national scientific user facilities. Energy technologies, environmental tech- nologies, and national security all depend on the progress of basic science research. By understanding, predicting, and ulti- mately controlling matter and energy at the level of electrons, atoms, and molecules, scientists have the capacity to transform the technologies we use in everyday life. From Fundamental Science to Energy Technology Basic Energy Sciences (BES) supports the science that is the foundation for new technologies essential to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) missions in energy, environment, and national security. We are one of the Nation’s leading sponsors of fundamental research across broad areas of materials sciences and engineering, chemical sciences, geosciences, and biosciences. -
Scientific Creationism, Geocentricity and the Flat Earth These Three Movements Have More in Common Than They Like to Acknowledge
Scientific Creationism, Geocentricity and the Flat Earth These three movements have more in common than they like to acknowledge Robert Schadewald Evolution is a scientific fairy-tale just as the "flat-earth theory" was in the 12th century. —Edward Blick, scientific creationist1 Poor flat-earthers! Few modern intellectual movements have been so widely scorned and misunderstood. Among Christians, religious tolerance and ecumenicalism seem to break down at the edge of the earth. The opening quotation suggests the contempt that most "scientific creationists" feel for the flat-earthers. Comparing them to evolutionists is an especially low blow, since the flat-earthers have always been in the forefront of the battle against evolution. Though flat-earthism is as well-supported scripturally and scientifically as creationism, the creationists plainly do not want to be associated with flat-earthers. In a public debate with creationist Duane Gish, paleontologist Michael Voorhies suggested that the Creation Research Society resembled the Flat Earth Society. According to a report of the debate published in the creationist newsletter Acts & Facts, Gish replied that not a single member of the Creation Research Society was a member of the Flat Earth Society and that Voorhies's linking of the two was nothing more than a smear.2 Gish's remarks brought a rejoinder in the Flat Earth News from an outraged letter writer (identified only as "G.J.D.") who had read the Acts & Facts report. "G.J.D."contested Gish's claim that no members of the Flat Earth Society belong to the Creation Research Society, concluding, "He doesn't know what he's talking about, as I belong to both, and I am writing to him to let him know that he is wrong."3 Ironically, Gish may have created a fact. -
The Body in Wellbeing Spirituality
JAY JOHNSTON The body in Wellbeing Spirituality Self, spirit beings and the politics of difference Introduction New religious movements of the nineteenth century—notably the Theo sophical Society and Spiritualism—endowed western culture with an ener getic concept of the self: that is, with a model of the body that proposed the individual to be constituted by a ‘spiritual’ or subtle substance. This model of the body—the subtle body—was not new to western esoteric traditions, however, its presentation at this time melded with subtle body schemes from Hindu traditions (primarily Yoga traditions) and provided the groundwork for the popularisation of a concept of the body and self as being comprised of an energetic anatomy. This model of the self has continued unabated into con temporary consumer culture and underpins the vast majority of mind–body concepts in Complementary and Alternative Medical (CAM) practices. This article is concerned with the subtle body models currently found in Wellbeing Spirituality healing modalities. In particular, it considers their ontological and metaphysical propositions with regard to an ethics of difference: both ener getic and cultural. Therefore, two distinct types of discourse will be examined and discussed: that of popular culture and that of Continental philosophy (especially feminist and poststructural). Both provide methods for under standing the enduring popularity of subtle body concepts of the self and the challenging ethical relations that the model presupposes. ‘Difference’ herein refers to the term’s use in the Continental philosophic al tradition, in particular following the thought of Emmanuel Levinas in the proposition of a radical difference, or alterity. -
Urban Myths Mythical Cryptids
Ziptales Advanced Library Worksheet 2 Urban Myths Mythical Cryptids ‘What is a myth? It is a story that pretends to be real, but is in fact unbelievable. Like many urban myths it has been passed around (usually by word of mouth), acquiring variations and embellishments as it goes. It is a close cousin of the tall tale. There are mythical stories about almost any aspect of life’. What do we get when urban myths meet the animal kingdom? We find a branch of pseudoscience called cryptozoology. Cryptozoology refers to the study of and search for creatures whose existence has not been proven. These creatures (or crytpids as they are known) appear in myths and legends or alleged sightings. Some examples include: sea serpents, phantom cats, unicorns, bunyips, giant anacondas, yowies and thunderbirds. Some have even been given actual names you may have heard of – do Yeti, Owlman, Mothman, Cyclops, Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster sound familiar? Task 1: Choose one of the cryptids from the list above (or perhaps one that you may already know of) and write an informative text identifying the following aspects of this mythical creature: ◊ Description ◊ Features ◊ Location ◊ First Sighting ◊ Subsequent Sightings ◊ Interesting Facts (e.g. how is it used in popular culture? Has it been featured in written or visual texts?) Task 2: Cryptozoologists claim there have been cases where species now accepted by the scientific community were initially considered urban myths. Can you locate any examples of creatures whose existence has now been proven but formerly thought to be cryptids? Extension Activities: • Cryptozoology is called a ‘pseudoscience’ because it relies solely on anecdotes and reported sightings rather than actual evidence. -
Bankruptcy Bermuda Triangle: Unbundling and Factoring in Consumer Bankruptcy Cases
Online CLE Bankruptcy Bermuda Triangle: Unbundling and Factoring in Consumer Bankruptcy Cases 1 General CLE credit From the Oregon State Bar CLE seminar 32nd Annual Northwest Bankruptcy Institute, presented on April 5 and 6, 2019 © 2019 Edward Boltz, Gary Dyer. All rights reserved. ii Chapter 2 Bankruptcy Bermuda Triangle: Unbundling and Factoring in Consumer Bankruptcy Cases EDWARD BOLTZ Law Offices of John T. Orcutt Durham, North Carolina GARY DYER Office of the U.S. Trustee Spokane, Washington Contents Presentation Slides: The Risks and Rewards of Unbundling in Chapter 7. .2–1 Further Reading . 2–15 Daniel Gill, “Should ‘No Money Down’ Chapter 7s Be Allowed?” Bloomberg Law, October 27, 2017 (Reprinted with Permission) . 2–17 Tessa Santiago, Michael Sousa, and Alex Dolhancyk, “Rustling Up Bankruptcy Unbundling,” NACBA’s 26th Annual Convention, April 2018 (Reprinted with Permission) . 2–19 Bethea v. Robert J. Adams & Associates, 352 F.3d 1125 (7th Cir. 2003) . 2–33 Memorandum Opinion in In re Wright, Case Nos. 17-11936-M (Bankr. N.D. Okla. 2018) . 2–41 Cadwell v. Kaufman, Englett & Lynd, PLLC, 886 F.3d 1153 (11th Cir. 2018) . 2–97 Final Report of the American Bankruptcy Institute National Ethics Task Force (Reprinted with Permission). .2–115 Chapter 2—Bankruptcy Bermuda Triangle: Unbundling and Factoring in Consumer Bankruptcy Cases 32nd Annual Northwest Bankruptcy Institute 2–ii Chapter 2—Bankruptcy Bermuda Triangle: Unbundling and Factoring in Consumer Bankruptcy Cases The Risks and Rewards of Unbundling in Chapter 7 Presented by: Edward Boltz, Law Offices of John T. Orcutt, Durham NC Gary Dyer, U.S. Trustee Program, Seattle WA Disclaimer: These materials and the opinions expressed are not necessarily the position of the U.S. -
Outer Paths #6302 a Ruiz and Explore Their Impact on Our Attitudes and Clairvoyance and Astral Travel Actions in Daily Life
18 spring ‘09 register online anytime: www.UMKC.EDU/COMMU #6016 A Exploring the Four Agreements/ Miguel Ruiz Psychic We will discuss “The Four Agreements” by Miquel outer paths #6302 A Ruiz and explore their impact on our attitudes and Clairvoyance and Astral Travel actions in daily life. Experience the difference that Clairvoyance and astral travel is an ancient Chinese putting these agreements into practice makes: Be art of the Imperial Healing Warriors. Since they had Martial Arts Impeccable with your Word; Don’t take anything to know where to go, to seek the sick, they used a Personally; Don’t make Assumptions; Always do form of clairvoyance and astral projection. Bring a your Best. Ahura has been teaching meditation, #7003 A picture of anyone, anything or any place to use in Beginning Self Defense psychic development and Reiki healing for over 20 the psychic portion of the workshop. Dr. Banuelos yeas. She has been living with and teaching about is a naturupathic doctor, sound therapy practicioner, This course is intended to help give the tools of the Four Agreements for nearly a decade. and master level in the Imperial Healing Warriors basic self defense to those who want to learn. It CONVENER: Ahura Basir (816-374-5988) Fraternity. Bring $35 (optional) for 2 books on CD, will cover simple, practical physical techniques for E-mail: [email protected] "Astral World" and "Clairvoyance," and handouts. self defense, as well as strategies for avoiding and Web site: www.soulessencehealing.com diffusing dangerous situations. Barrett will teach CLASS FEE: $9 CONVENER: Lupe Banuelos (816-645-9630) specific techniques, but welcomes student input as E-mail: [email protected] Sec. -
The Myth of Alpha Consciousness
The Myth of Alpha Consciousness Alpha brain-waves are marketed as a way to produce relaxation, healing, and meditative or occult states. In fact, they are related to activity in the visual system and have no proven curative or paranormal powers. Barry Beyerstein SYCHOPHYSIOLOGY SEEKS to understand how mechanisms in the nervous system mediate consciousness and behavior. Over Pthe years this hybrid field has seen many newly discovered brain processes reportedly linked with unique psychological states only to have further research reveal that the relationship is far more complex than suspected. Correcting these misinterpretations takes time, even in the pro fessional literature. Beyond the lab, it is even more difficult to retire obsolete notions about brain-behavior relationships when the popular press, profit motives, and a host of quasitheological beliefs conspire to perpetuate them. Alpha brain-waves and biofeedback are two areas in which such misapprehensions are legion: In the late 1960s a reawakened interest in altered states of conscious ness was buoyed by claims that patterns in the electroencephalogram (EEG) called "alpha waves" were indicators of meditative or psychic states. This, plus the understandable attraction of anything offering quick relief from anxiety and stress, spawned a multimillion-dollar industry aimed at teach ing people to maximize EEG alpha through a technique called biofeedback. This occurred despite a growing realization among psychophysiologists that the alleged benefits were based upon unsupported assumptions about alpha and despite growing reservations about the efficacy of biofeedback in general. Barry Beyerstein is in the Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia. 42 THE SKEPTICAL INQUIRER, Vol. -
Measuring Science: Is There “Basic Research” Without Statistics? Benoît Godin 3465, Rue Durocher Montréal (QUE) Canada
Measuring Science: Is There “Basic Research” Without Statistics? Benoît Godin 3465, rue Durocher Montréal (QUE) Canada H2X 2C6 Project on the History and Sociology of S&T Statistics Paper No. 3 2000 Previous papers in the series: 1. B. Godin, Outlines for a History of Science Measurement. 2. B. Godin, The Measure of Science and the Construction of a Statistical Territory: The Case of the National Capital Region (NCR). 1 Measuring Science : Is There “Basic Research” Without Statistics? Measuring Science: Is There “Basic Research” Without Statistics? Fundamental research is a central category of science policy and science measurement. Of all the concepts defined in the first edition of the Frascati manual, the OECD (Organization for Economic and Co-operation Development) methodological guide for official surveys on R&D, the first dealt with fundamental research. While a definition of research itself did not appear until the second edition in 1970, fundamental research was defined explicitly as follows: Work undertaken primarily for the advancement of scientific knowledge, without a specific practical application in view. 1 In the last edition of the manual (1994), the definition is substantially the same as the one in 1963, although the term “basic” is now used instead of fundamental: Basic research is experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge of the underlying foundation of phenomena and observable facts, without any particular application or use in view. 2 Between 1963 and 1994, therefore, all five editions of the manual carry essentially the same definition without any significant changes: basic research is research concerned with knowledge as contrasted with applied research, which is concerned with the application of knowledge. -
The Demarcation Problem
Part I The Demarcation Problem 25 Chapter 1 Popper’s Falsifiability Criterion 1.1 Popper’s Falsifiability Popper’s Problem : To distinguish between science and pseudo-science (astronomy vs astrology) - Important distinction: truth is not the issue – some theories are sci- entific and false, and some may be unscientific but true. - Traditional but unsatisfactory answers: empirical method - Popper’s targets: Marx, Freud, Adler Popper’s thesis : Falsifiability – the theory contains claims which could be proved to be false. Characteristics of Pseudo-Science : unfalsifiable - Any phenomenon can be interpreted in terms of the pseudo-scientific theory “Whatever happened always confirmed it” (5) - Example: man drowning vs saving a child Characteristics of Science : falsifiability - A scientific theory is always takes risks concerning the empirical ob- servations. It contains the possibility of being falsified. There is con- firmation only when there is failure to refute. 27 28 CHAPTER 1. POPPER’S FALSIFIABILITY CRITERION “The theory is incompatible with certain possible results of observation” (6) - Example: Einstein 1919 1.2 Kuhn’s criticism of Popper Kuhn’s Criticism of Popper : Popper’s falsifiability criterion fails to char- acterize science as it is actually practiced. His criticism at best applies to revolutionary periods of the history of science. Another criterion must be given for normal science. Kuhn’s argument : - Kuhn’s distinction between normal science and revolutionary science - A lesson from the history of science: most science is normal science. Accordingly, philosophy of science should focus on normal science. And any satisfactory demarcation criterion must apply to normal science. - Popper’s falsifiability criterion at best only applies to revolutionary science, not to normal science. -
Yjyjjgl^Ji^Jihildlitr-1 What's That I Smell? the Claims of Aroma .••
NOVA EXAMINES ALIEN ABDUCTIONS • THE WEIRD WORLD WEB • DEBUNKING THE MYSTICAL IN INDIA yjyjjgl^ji^JiHildlitr-1 What's That I Smell? The Claims of Aroma .•• Fun and Fallacies with Numbers I by Marilyn vos Savant le Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal THE COMMITTEE FOR THE SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION OF CLAIMS OF THE PARANORMAL AT IHf CENIK FOR INQUKY (ADJACENT IO IME MATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO • AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION Paul Kurtz, Chairman; professor emeritus of philosophy, State University of New York at Buffalo Barry Karr, Executive Director and Public Relations Director Lee Nisbet. Special Projects Director FELLOWS James E. Alcock.* psychologist, York Murray Gell-Mann. professor of physics, H. Narasimhaiah, physicist, president, Univ., Toronto Santa Fe Institute; Nobel Prize laureate Bangalore Science Forum, India Jerry Andrus, magician and inventor, Thomas Gilovich, psychologist, Cornell Dorothy Nelkin. sociologist. New York Univ. Albany, Oregon Univ. Joe Nickell.* senior research fellow, CSICOP Robert A. Baker, psychologist, Univ. of Henry Gordon, magician, columnist. Lee Nisbet.* philosopher, Medaille College Toronto Kentucky James E. Oberg, science writer Stephen Barrett. M.D., psychiatrist, Stephen Jay Gould, Museum of Loren Pankratz, psychologist, Oregon Comparative Zoology, Harvard Univ. author, consumer advocate, Allentown, Health Sciences Univ. Pa. C. E. M. Hansel, psychologist, Univ. of Wales John Paulos, mathematician, Temple Univ. Barry Beyerstein,* biopsychologist, Mark Plummer, lawyer, Australia Simon Fraser Univ., Vancouver, B.C., AI Hibbs, scientist, Jet Propulsion Canada Laboratory W. V. Quine, philosopher. Harvard Univ. Irving Biederman, psychologist, Univ. of Douglas Hofstadter, professor of human Milton Rosenberg, psychologist, Univ. of Chicago Southern California understanding and cognitive science, Carl Sagan, astronomer.