How Science Works: Evolution: The Nature of Science & The Science of Nature

175 Pages·2016·9.07 MB·English

by  John Ellis (auth.)

John Ellis
How Science
Works: Evolution
The Nature of Science Second Edition
& The Science of Nature
How Science Works: Evolution
O n his return from the voyage on the Beagle in 1835, Charles Darwin spent the rest of his life at
Down House in Kent. It was here that he wrote On the Origin of Species. Down House is main-
tained by English Heritage and is well worth a visit.
John Ellis
How Science Works:
Evolution
The Nature of Science &
The Science of Nature
Second Edition
John Ellis
University of Warwick
Coventry , UK
ISBN 978-94-017-7747-6 ISBN 978-94-017-7749-0 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-94-017-7749-0
Library of Congress Control Number: 2016945757
1st edition: © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010
© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2016
T his work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of
the material is concerned, specifi cally the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation,
broadcasting, reproduction on microfi lms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information
storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology
now known or hereafter developed.
The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication
does not imply, even in the absence of a specifi c statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant
protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.
T he publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book
are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the
editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors
or omissions that may have been made.
Cover photograph: Orangutan and infant, photographed by Lone Droscher-Nielsen. Supplied by the
Orangutan Land Trust ( f orests4orangutans.org ) , a charity devoted to fi nding sustainable solutions for the
survival of orangutans in the wild.
Printed on acid-free paper
This Springer imprint is published by Springer Nature
The registered company is Springer Science+Business Media B.V. Dordrecht
We’ve arranged a global civilization in
which the most critical elements profoundly
depend on science and technology. We have
also arranged things so that almost no one
understands science and technology. This is
a prescription for disaster.
(Carl Sagan 1996)
We must, however, acknowledge, as it seems
to me, that man with all his noble qualities,
still bears in his bodily frame the indelible
stamp of his lowly origin .
(Charles Darwin 1871)

For Diana and Juliet

Foreword
T here is a striking paradox in the way that we humans live today. On the one hand,
it is a cliché that our lives are lived on the basis of science and its applications
through technology: airplanes and laptop computers, electric light, modern medi-
cine, mobile telephones, the internet, indeed almost anything one can name that
makes life easier, quicker, more effi cient and useful – and occasionally more prob-
lematic, as with weapons and surveillance – owes itself to science.
But on the other hand, ignorance of science and its methods is widespread, to
such an extent that ancient belief systems still dominate the minds of the majority of
people in the world. Perhaps the most amazing thing about this paradox is that some
people use the science of today to try to return the world to a place suitable for
beliefs formed long ago: for example, some religious fundamentalists who wish to
revive a medieval way of life commit acts of terrorism or war using twenty-fi rst
century technologies to further their aims. It is not clear whether they see the para-
dox themselves, but it most assuredly exists.
S chools in Western countries make the study of science compulsory. Even so, the
level of science literacy remains woefully low in the general population even of
those countries. Apart from the unacceptable fact of such ignorance itself, a further
serious problem with it is that too many people are failing to think in the clear,
evidence- based way that constitutes scientifi c method. To be able to sift sense from
nonsense, good ideas from bad, responsible thinking from tendentious or erroneous
thinking, serious ideas from the nostrums of snake-oil salesmen, one has to be a
good judge of the claims made on behalf of various viewpoints. To be a good judge
of claims, one must look at the evidence and test the reasoning offered in support of
those claims, not allowing oneself to be overawed by the status of those who make
them, or by one’s own desire that the claims be true (or false).
In the following pages Professor Ellis provides an eloquent, lucid and careful
account of the nature of science and its methods. Every term is carefully defi ned;
every step in the processes of scientifi c enquiry is clearly marked. He distinguishes
between the two major types of world-view – the supernaturalistic or religious, and
the naturalistic or scientifi c – and examines how they go about their business; and
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