Essay 2Essay 2

Science

Social beliefs, values, background beliefs

Topic 2:Auxiliary assumptionsBackground theoryParadigm

Topic 3: Theory shaping observation

Topic 3: How science affectsour views

Topic 3: how social beliefscan affect science

Social beliefs, values, background beliefs

If H, then I

Essay 2Essay 2

Part 1: Identify the players/science/periodPart 1: Identify the players/science/periodIdentify the hypothesis being proposed and Identify the hypothesis being proposed and

testedtestedIdentify the methods used to test the Identify the methods used to test the

hypothesishypothesisIdentify the conclusion(s) reachedIdentify the conclusion(s) reached

Essay 2Essay 2

Part 2: Part 2: Either use what we’ve learned about the role Either use what we’ve learned about the role

of auxiliary assumptions, and/or (background of auxiliary assumptions, and/or (background theory), and/or a paradigm to theory), and/or a paradigm to identify/describe what the scientists identify/describe what the scientists assumed/believed… these include both assumed/believed… these include both scientific assumptions/methods and social scientific assumptions/methods and social beliefs (use Gould to identify them)beliefs (use Gould to identify them)

Or choose to focus on how theory shapes Or choose to focus on how theory shapes observations in the case you on which you observations in the case you on which you focus… focus…

Part 3: Part 3: In each essay, Gould draws one or two lessons. In each essay, Gould draws one or two lessons.

Whichever essay you focus on, identify a lesson Whichever essay you focus on, identify a lesson and use what you did in part 2 (the role of and use what you did in part 2 (the role of auxiliary assumptions, background theory, auxiliary assumptions, background theory, paradigm and/or theory shaping observations)paradigm and/or theory shaping observations)to evaluate his argument.to evaluate his argument.

Ethics and scienceEthics and scienceThe case of “Genie”The case of “Genie”The scientific questions:The scientific questions:

Are humans born with an innate capacity for Are humans born with an innate capacity for language (syntax) or is behaviorism correct?language (syntax) or is behaviorism correct?Noam Chomsky: Yes, they are so equipped Noam Chomsky: Yes, they are so equipped (Linguist at Harvard, 1950s and 60s)(Linguist at Harvard, 1950s and 60s)If so, is there a “critical window” for language If so, is there a “critical window” for language acquisition, after a child has passed through it acquisition, after a child has passed through it without language it becomes difficult or impossible without language it becomes difficult or impossible to acquire one?to acquire one?Yes, there is a critical window (1960s)Yes, there is a critical window (1960s)A child’s ability to acquire language is at its peak A child’s ability to acquire language is at its peak between birth and 7, and then declinesbetween birth and 7, and then declines

The case of “Genie”The case of “Genie”The case of “Genie,” a “natural experiment”:The case of “Genie,” a “natural experiment”:Scientific questions:Scientific questions:

Deprived of language through puberty, can she Deprived of language through puberty, can she nevertheless be taught and acquire language?nevertheless be taught and acquire language?

The players: “Genie” and the team of scientists and The players: “Genie” and the team of scientists and medical doctors who work with/live with/treat hermedical doctors who work with/live with/treat her

Susan Curtis, the grad student in linguistics Susan Curtis, the grad student in linguistics who tries to teach her languagewho tries to teach her language

Jean Butler, a social worker to whom Genie Jean Butler, a social worker to whom Genie was first assigned… and eventually taken fromwas first assigned… and eventually taken from

The case of “Genie”The case of “Genie”The case of “Genie” The case of “Genie” The players: “Genie” and the team of scientists The players: “Genie” and the team of scientists

and medical doctors who work with/live and medical doctors who work with/live with/treat herwith/treat her

James Kent: a psychiatristJames Kent: a psychiatristDavid Rigler: a psychologistDavid Rigler: a psychologistMarilyn Rigler: live in teacherMarilyn Rigler: live in teacherThe National Institutes for Mental HealthThe National Institutes for Mental Health

The case of “Genie”The case of “Genie”

The case of “Genie,” a “natural experiment”:The case of “Genie,” a “natural experiment”:Scientific questions:Scientific questions:

Deprived of language through puberty, can she Deprived of language through puberty, can she nevertheless be taught and acquire language?nevertheless be taught and acquire language?

What ethical issues emerge in the study/treatment of What ethical issues emerge in the study/treatment of Genie?Genie?

How should human and/or any other cognitively aware How should human and/or any other cognitively aware animal be treated?animal be treated?

Is knowledge a good for its own sake? Is knowledge a good for its own sake? Should ethical concerns or issues limit/shape scientific Should ethical concerns or issues limit/shape scientific

research?research?

What is this thing called science?What is this thing called science?