Naturalizing as an Error-Type in Science: Implications for Science Education
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| When |
Dec 23, 2015 from 04:00 pm to 05:30 pm |
| Where | HBCSE, Mumbai |
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Title: Naturalizing as an Error-Type in Science: Implications for Science Education Speaker: Prof. Douglas Allchin, University of Minnesota, USA
Date: 23rd Dec 2015
Time: 4:00 PM
Venue: G1, Main Buuilding
Abstract: It is commonplace to say that all scientific knowledge is tentative and that when concepts change, we frequently uncover and correct earlier scientific errors. However, some scientific mistakes (not yet corrected) have more significant social consequences than others. In this presentation, I profile one particular error type: the naturalizing error. In these cases, one appeals to nature as a self-justified description dictating or limiting our choices in moral, economic, political, and other social contexts. Accordingly, normative cultural perspectives may be subtly and subconsciously inscribed into purportedly objective descriptions of nature, often with the apparent warrant and authority of science, even if they are not fully warranted by a systematic or complete consideration of the evidence. Due to cognitive patterns, advocates often fail to notice the lapses in scientific reasoning and flaws in justification. I discuss occasions when we should be especially alert to the potential of the naturalizing error, what strategies we have for dealing with them, and what the error and its prospective remedies means for science education.
About the speaker: Douglas Allchin received his M.S. in Evolutionary Biology and Ph.D. in Conceptual Foundations of Science, both from the University of Chicago (1991). His extensive teaching experience ranges from high school biology (in Washington DC) and college biology (in El Paso), to bioethics (Cornell University), history of science (University of Minnesota) and a handful of innovative interdisciplinary courses along the way. Dr. Allchin pursues several lines of research. In philosophy of science, he is interested in disagreement and error in science -- and how they are resolved. In history of science, he has explored late phlogistonists, debates about cell energetics, and science in non-Western cultures. In education, he works extensively on integrating history and nature of science into science teaching. He is co-author of Doing Biology (1996) and edits the SHiPS Resource Center website.
