Difference between revisions of "Scientific evidence"
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==Notable Examples== | ==Notable Examples== | ||
*Sometimes, however, scientists have refused to examine new evidence which could undermine confidence in an established theory. Possibly the best known case of this involved the discoveries of [[Ignaz Semmelweis]] in 19th century [[Vienna]], which led to the [[germ theory of disease]]. | *Sometimes, however, scientists have refused to examine new evidence which could undermine confidence in an established theory. Possibly the best known case of this involved the discoveries of [[Ignaz Semmelweis]] in 19th century [[Vienna]], which led to the [[germ theory of disease]]. | ||
| − | *Another example is dutch Darwinist [[Eugène Dubois]] who never gave up his dictatorial control over "his" [[fossils]]. He withdrew them from public and did not allow others to [[Scientific method|scientifically investigate]] them while at the same time he was becoming more and more paranoid. Yet even without | + | *Another example is dutch Darwinist [[Eugène Dubois]] who never gave up his dictatorial control over "his" [[fossils]]. He withdrew them from public and did not allow others to [[Scientific method|scientifically investigate]] them while at the same time he was becoming more and more paranoid. Yet even without evidence available his elementary assertion that ''Pithecanthropus erectus'' ("ape-human that stands upright") was a direct ancestor of modern humans gradually won adherents.<ref>{{cite book |
|author=Edward J.Larson | |author=Edward J.Larson | ||
|title=Evolution -The Remarkable History of a Scientific Theory | |title=Evolution -The Remarkable History of a Scientific Theory | ||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
|year=2004 | |year=2004 | ||
|isbn=0812968492 | |isbn=0812968492 | ||
| − | | | + | |pages=141–144 |
|pages=368 | |pages=368 | ||
|url=http://books.google.no/books?id=xzLRvxlJhzkC&dq=Edward+J.+Larson&hl=sk&sa=X&ei=qcykT9LCM4qh4gSCwJGrCQ&ved=0CGIQ6AEwCA | |url=http://books.google.no/books?id=xzLRvxlJhzkC&dq=Edward+J.+Larson&hl=sk&sa=X&ei=qcykT9LCM4qh4gSCwJGrCQ&ved=0CGIQ6AEwCA | ||
| Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
| − | ==See | + | ==See also== |
* [[Exact sciences]] | * [[Exact sciences]] | ||
* [[Scientific method]] | * [[Scientific method]] | ||
Revision as of 14:04, June 24, 2016
Scientific evidence for a theory consists of observations and measurements which are consistent with predictions made by the theory. When a theory remains consistent with the facts, no matter how hard scientists try to find counter-examples, scientific confidence in the theory is bolstered.
Findings which are contrary to a theory normally cast doubt upon it. The theory must then be discarded, or significantly modified.
Notable Examples
- Sometimes, however, scientists have refused to examine new evidence which could undermine confidence in an established theory. Possibly the best known case of this involved the discoveries of Ignaz Semmelweis in 19th century Vienna, which led to the germ theory of disease.
- Another example is dutch Darwinist Eugène Dubois who never gave up his dictatorial control over "his" fossils. He withdrew them from public and did not allow others to scientifically investigate them while at the same time he was becoming more and more paranoid. Yet even without evidence available his elementary assertion that Pithecanthropus erectus ("ape-human that stands upright") was a direct ancestor of modern humans gradually won adherents.[1]
See also
References
- ↑ Edward J.Larson (2004). Evolution -The Remarkable History of a Scientific Theory. USA: Random House Publishing Group, 368. ISBN 0812968492.