Monday, February 7, 2011

Richard Feynman and Science as Knowing

We are now turning to science as a way of knowing.

One of the most extraordinary people of the 20th century was Richard Feynman, a Nobel Prize winning physicist who left an lasting impact on science. His impact was in part due to his discoveries, and in part due to his amazing ability to teach science. Unconventional and creative, he engaged people in viewing the world in a manner at once poetic and scientific, balancing rigorous thought and enormous awe.

In class we began watching a video on Feynman. Please finish watching the video outside of class and record a reflection here. What does Feynman say about science as a way of knowing?

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

The Pyramids in Bosnia and Testing for Truth

In class yesterday we watched a brief news clip about the discovery of pyramids in Bosnia. How can we evaluate the validity of this claim? In previous classes we have seen that different tests can be applied to knowledge claims. We can test by reasoning, by observation, by seeking a reliable source, by emotion. What tests are used to validate the claim in Bosnia? What tests can invalidate it? What do you personally think about the claim?