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Chapter 1: Problem 10

Any explanation of a phenomenon that includes a supernatural influence is not scientific because a. it does not have a hypothesis. b. it is wrong. c. people who believe in the supernatural are not credible. d. science is the study of the natural world.

Short Answer

Expert verified
d. science is the study of the natural world.

Step by step solution

01

Analyze the Options

Each option needs to be evaluated based on whether it fits the criteria for something to be scientific.
02

Evaluate Option A

Option a states that a supernatural explanation is not scientific because it does not have a hypothesis. However, the presence or absence of a hypothesis alone does not determine whether an explanation is scientific.
03

Evaluate Option B

Option b states that it is wrong. The correctness of the result does not influence whether an explanation is scientific; a scientific explanation can be proven wrong through evidence but can still be scientific.
04

Evaluate Option C

Option c claims that people who believe in the supernatural are not credible. This option addresses the credibility of the people, not the scientific nature of the explanation.
05

Evaluate Option D

Option d states that science is the study of the natural world. Because a supernatural explanation includes elements that are beyond the natural world, it does not fit within the domain of scientific study.
06

Final Decision

After analyzing all the options, the most suitable answer is option d. Science focuses on natural phenomena and explanations rooted in natural laws and processes.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

headline of the respective core concept
The natural world is at the heart of scientific study. Scientists seek to understand the phenomena that occur within our universe, from the smallest particles to the vast cosmos. By focusing on the natural world, science allows us to develop explanations and predictions based on observable and measurable evidence. This includes:
  • Physical phenomena: like gravity, electricity, and magnetism.
  • Biological processes: such as genetics, evolution, and ecosystems.
  • Chemical reactions: including molecular interactions and reactions.
Scientific studies are grounded in the principles of the natural world, which can be tested and verified through experimentation and observation. When discussing the natural world, it's important to remember that science does not consider entities or forces that lie outside of what can be systematically observed and measured.
headline of the respective core concept
Hypothesis evaluation is a fundamental part of the scientific process. A hypothesis is an educated guess or a proposed explanation for a phenomenon, which can be tested through experimentation and observation. The key steps in evaluating a hypothesis include:
  • Formulating a specific and testable hypothesis.
  • Designing an experiment or study to test the hypothesis.
  • Collecting and analyzing data.
  • Drawing conclusions based on the evidence.
For a hypothesis to be scientifically valid, it must be falsifiable, meaning that there must be a possibility to disprove it through evidence. This is why explanations involving supernatural influence are not scientific; they cannot be tested or falsified through empirical evidence.
headline of the respective core concept
Science criteria refer to the fundamental principles that distinguish scientific study from other forms of inquiry. These criteria include:
  • Empiricism: relying on observable and measurable evidence.
  • Reproducibility: ensuring that results can be consistently replicated in other studies.
  • Falsifiability: the capacity for a hypothesis to be disproven.
  • Peer Review: subjecting research to the scrutiny of others in the field.
Science criteria help maintain the integrity and reliability of scientific knowledge. Using these criteria, scientists build a body of evidence that expands our understanding of the natural world. Supernatural explanations fail to meet these criteria, as they often cannot be observed, measured, or tested in a reliable manner.
headline of the respective core concept
Supernatural influence refers to phenomena or entities that exist beyond the natural world. This can include beliefs in gods, spirits, or otherworldly forces that are not bound by natural laws. While such beliefs are culturally significant and meaningful to many people, they do not fit within the scientific framework for several reasons:
  • They cannot be empirically tested or observed.
  • They lack predictability and consistency.
  • They are not subject to falsification.
Scientific study is limited to what can be empirically tested and verified. Therefore, incorporating supernatural elements into scientific explanations is incompatible with the criteria of science. This distinction helps ensure that scientific knowledge is based on reliable and repeatable evidence.

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