The three main types of limits on technology are natural, economic, and ethical. As we learned, natural limits are ones where the laws of the universe physically prevent us from doing something. An example would be the fact that the laws of physics say we cannot reach the speed of light.

scientific method: A method of discovering knowledge about the natural world based on making falsifiable predictions (hypotheses), testing them empirically, and developing peer-reviewed theories that best explain the known data.

The steps of the scientific method go something like this: Make an observation or observations. Ask questions about the observations and gather information. Form a hypothesis — a tentative description of what’s been observed, and make predictions based on that hypothesis.

The Scientific Method helps you put together experiments, use data to find conclusions and interpret them. In short, the Scientific Method is a step-by-step process: Predict what the hypothesis may lead to and conduct an experiment to test it out. Analyze the data to draw a conclusion from your findings.

Terms in this set (6)

• 1st Limitation. Science deals with only things that can be observed.
• 2nd Limitation. Scientific observations may be faulty.
• 3rd Limitation. Scientists can be bias.
• 4th Limitation. Science cannot make value judgments.
• 5th Limitation. Science cannot provide universal statements.
• 6th Limitation.

Opinions are neither fact nor theory; they are not officially the domain of science (but don’t go thinking that scientists don’t have opinions — they are only human, and opinions often help to guide their research).

Science is valued by society because the application of scientific knowledge helps to satisfy many basic human needs and improve living standards. Similarly, science is often justified to the public as driving economic growth, which is seen as a return-on-investment for public funding.

In other words, science is one of the most important channels of knowledge. It has a specific role, as well as a variety of functions for the benefit of our society: creating new knowledge, improving education, and increasing the quality of our lives. Science must respond to societal needs and global challenges.

What is a Scientific Fact? A typical, empiricist description of the functions of facts and theory in scientific activity might be as follows: Facts are simple observations of the world, and they do not change over time. But, they may still change over time.

A fact is a statement that can be verified. It can be proven to be true or false through objective evidence. It is a statement that is neither true nor false. Or it may feel true for some, but false for others.

The usual test for a statement of fact is verifiability—that is whether it can be demonstrated to correspond to experience. Standard reference works are often used to check facts. Scientific facts are verified by repeatable careful observation or measurement by experiments or other means.

These common sayings imply people can change — and they absolutely can. Anyone can make an effort to alter specific habits or behaviors. Even some aspects of attitude and personality can change over time… with some dedicated effort. Yet while people can change, not everyone does.