All Men are Scientists (question answer & summary)

  Summary:

We think that mind of scientist must be constituted differently but out mind also uses the terrible apparatus used by scientists. Whole life we apply induction and deduction, the same complex train of reasoning as scientist.

Inductive method of reasoning: It means 'to draw general conclusion from a particular example, from individual to universal.'

Deductive method of reasoning: It just a opposite of deductive method in which 'knowledge about things that are generally true are used to understand any particular situation.'

In the example of apple also we see that the more varied the condition of experiment the more certain is the conclusion. In the same way a scientist also exposes his law to every possible condition and that too is intentionally.

Scientific investigation is not some kind of black art. The method of scientific investigation is nothing but the expression of the necessary mode of working of the human mind. It is simply the way of explaining all phenomenon with logic and reason.

The difference between an ordinary man and a scientist is just like the difference between common weighing and chemical balance. They don't differ in manner of working or principal of construction but in degree only. One is done with more precaution so its result is more accurate. It is more affected by a smaller weight than the other. Science verifies by experiment but we verify by universal experience of mankind.

The train of reasoning we imply was implied by Newton and Laplace to discover any laws but the nature of their inquiry is more minute, every step carefully watched so that there may not be any flaw. A flaw may not affect our observation but in scientific inquiry even a small mistake is always important.

A hypothesis is guess or proposed explanation about any investigation. It is used as a starting point for further investigation. We believe something and we trend to prove it. It is necessary to verify a hypothesis to check its accuracy. A hypothesis becomes a law only after verification.

Hypothesis may be ill based like saying moon is made up of green cheese but a learned man with telescope would say it is composed of materials similar to the earth. The hypothesis based on guess has little value but the other based on scientific knowledge is of great value. The value of result depends upon patience with which verification is applied to a hypothesis.

all-men-are-scientists

Question and Answers:

Q.1  What do you mean by inductive and deductive method of reasoning?

Ans. Inductive method of reasoning means to draw general conclusion from a particular example, where as deductive method is just opposite of inductive philosophy. In deductive method we use knowledge about things that are generally true to understand any particular situations.

 

Q,2  What is the basic difference between the working of a scientist and that of ordinary individual?

Ans. The basic difference between the working of a scientist and that of ordinary individual is that of a degree only, not of just like the difference between a common scale and a chemical balance. Their manner of working is same but a scientist work more carefully so his result is more accurate.

 

Q.3  How are hypothesis made by ordinary people? How are these hypothesis different from those of scientist?

Ans. Ordinary people make hypothesis on the basis of life experience and limited knowledge, it is simply a guess where as a hypothesis made by a scientist depends upon his deep knowledge and many experiments so his hypothesis is likely to be more accurate and of more value.

 

Q.4  What is a hypothesis? Why is it necessary that we should verify a hypothesis?

Ans. A hypothesis is a proposed explanation or guess about any investigation. it is used as a starting point for further investigation. it is necessary to verify a hypothesis to check its accuracy. A hypothesis becomes a law only after verification.

 

Q.5 What do you mean by the phrase "All Men are Scientists"?

Ans. The phrase "All Men are Scientists" means that scientific methods are not very different from the method of common people. Just as in our daily life we make observation and conclusion. The difference is that their experiment is not by chance. It is deliberate, done carefully and hence their result is more accurate.

 

Q.6  How does an ordinary individual use the methods of science in his day today life?

Ans. An ordinary individual also uses the methods of science in his day today life. Just like inductive method he draws general conclusion from any event and similarly using knowledge of things that are true in general he understands particular situation. These are called inductive and deductive method of reasoning which we use in our daily life.

 

Q.7  How are the methods of ordinary individuals different from those of a scientist?

Ans. The methods of an ordinary individuals are not very different from that of a scientist. The difference is not of kind but only of degree in the sense that a scientist does his experiments with great care, take more precautions and even a small mistake which we generally ignore is also of great value for him.