science hwk

BS 105 “
How do you know what you know” assignment

Science is a process by which we acquire some of our “truths”; it is a way of knowing. In order to understand the process of science, we need to understand the broader concept of “knowing”. From where does knowledge come?

NOTE: The following assignment MUST be typed, double-spaced throughout! Otherwise it will NOT be graded.

1. List
two
statements that indicate things you know. Do NOT include skills (things you know how to do), only statements that you know or think are true. One of the statements must be “objective”; the other must be “subjective”.

2. For each statement indicate how you know that. Why do you think each statement is true?

3. Explain whether each statement is “objective” or “subjective”, and whether the response to that statement constitutes “analysis” or “acceptance”. See the truth table and associated definitions on the back of this page.

4. Use the following format exactly as indicated:
STATEMENT #1: There is a state called Idaho.
RESPONSE #1: I’ve seen it on maps of the United States, even though I haven’t actually been there.
EXPLANATION #1: This is an objective statement because it involves the external or material world, and could be verified or falsified. The response represents acceptance (more so than analysis) because I haven’t actually been to Idaho to verify this for myself. Examination of a
map does involve some amount of analysis, but not much beyond simply accepting someone’s word for it.

5. Include your name, section #, and date on the upper right-hand corner of your paper. If these items are not included I will not grade your assignment!

6. Grading scheme: 1 point for each statement
1 point for each response = 5 points for each different statement for
3 points for each explanation a total of 10 points

7.

DUE DATE: Friday, September 6th 2013 (by 12 noon in my mailbox, or via e-mail
attachment)

Truth Table: One way of classifying statements and ways of knowing

Analysis logic persuasion
argumentation (e.g., advertising,
experimentation politics, debate)
(science)
Response

to

Statement

regulation preference
dogma personal judgment
Acceptance instruction

Objective Subjective

Nature of Statement

Acceptance: belief in something; taking something to be true on someone’s authority; receiving information without questioning

Analysis: breaking down a concept into component parts to study it; questioning; subjecting information to tests or verification

Objective: exists external to or independent of the mind; having to do with something in the material world; able to be checked by an outside observer

Subjective: exists only in thought or one’s mind; unable to be checked or verified by an outside observer