September 11, 2011

2011 - 2012 Terminology 1

1 Discipline
An established branch of knowledge with its own subject area and way of approaching it.


2 Natural Science
The study of science that relates to the physical world, such as biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science.


3 Scientific Method
A system of experimentation to test scientific theories: Aim - Observation - Hypothesis - Experiment - Data Analysis - Conclusion


4 Scientific Law
A scientific theory that has been tested many times and is generally accepted as true.


5 Paradigm
A accepted set of natural laws that forms our world view about science.


6 Social Science
The study of human life and activities, such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, and linguistics.


7 Positive Statements
Statements if facts/how things are.


8 Normative Statements
Statements of how things should be (values and opinions).


9 Determinism versus Free Will 
Determinism is the concept in which all events are inevitable and decided by causes external to the will. Free will is the power of making free choices unconstrained by external agencies. 

10 Nature versus Nurture 
Nature is features that are born or embedded into ourselves while nurture is features that are taught to us.


11 History
The study of past events.


12 Art
The expression of human creativity and imagination, such as music, theater, visual art, architecture, fashion, and dance.


13 Mathematics
The abstract science of number, quantity, and space, and their relationship with each other.


14 Ethics
A system of principles for what's right and wrong.


15 Theory of Motivation
How do people get motivation about what's best for themselves?
(a) Ethical Egoism
We should behave in a way that promotes our personal happiness in the long run.
(b) Altruism
We should sacrifice our personal interests for those of others.
(c) Utilitarianism
We should maximize the overall benefit for everyone involved.
(d) Moral Duty
We do something because we know we should do it.


16 Pseudoscience 
A practice that is claimed to be scientific, or is made to appear to be scientific, but does not adhere to an appropriate scientific methodology.


17 Robert Merton's Norms
The contribution to scientific work should:
(a) Communalism
Become part of public knowledge by full disclosure
(b) Universalism
Be judged independently of personal traits of the contributor
(c) Disinterestedness
Be made neutrally, impersonally, and without regard for personal gain
(d) Originality
Offer something new to the existing body of knowledge
(e) Skepticism
Be subjected to systematic doubt by the scientific community


Works Consulted
1 Google Dictionary 
2 Notes in Class

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