Scientific Reasoning (SCIE 326) Athabasca

Inductive Reasoning - Answer- Inductive reasoning makes broad generalizations from specific observations. Basically, there is data, then conclusions are drawn from the data. the sun rises each day in the East. Therefore we can infer that the sun always rises each day in the East. the observations may be true but because they are limited the conclusion may still be false. Tentative. Deductive Reasoning - Answer- Deductive reasoning, or deduction, starts out with a general statement, or hypothesis, and examines the possibilities to reach a specific, logical conclusion The scientific method uses deduction to test hypotheses and theories. If we take as a premise that the sun always rises each morning in the East, then we can deduce that the sun will rise tomorrow morning in the East. In valid deduction, if the premises are true then the conclusion must be true. 3 moral qualities of the inductive attitude - Answer- Intellectual Courage: To be ready to revise any one of our beliefs. Intellectual Honesty: To be willing to change a belief when there is a compelling reason to change it. Wise Restraint: Not to change beliefs capriciously, without good reason. State four significant differences between the scientific and religious approaches to the world - Answer- A. Science attempts to bring coherence to our experiences; religion attempts to infuse our experiences with meaning B. Science is statements about sensory information; religion is statements which we cannot perceive with our senses C. Science is public and conveyed in terms which can be precisely defined. Religion is often private and difficult to express in well-defined terms. D. Science results are tentative. Religion are generally not tentative or subject to revision. The d