BIO 4113 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Observable Universe, Involucrum, Strong Inference
Document Summary
The nature of science and the study of evolution. Biological evolution is a process by which species change over time. No 2 generations of any one species have ever been the same. Philosophy and process by which natural laws are described. Natural law: principle that accurately describes the functioning of the observable universe. Investigate and uncover natural laws (this is called basic research) Science is only science if it can predict future outcomes. Manipulating the natural world is applied science. Primary assumptions - must be accepted to study science. Uniformity: laws are constant, the same natural laws that governed the universe millions of years ago, still do today. Laws: describe patterns, capable of predicting future occurrences. Theories: explain the nature of the universe"s mechanisms, they tell more than laws do as they explain why. Evolutionary theory may be the only theory to be legally recognized/disputed as science.
