A brief comment on the phrase “scientific certainty”. Whether the phrase is an oxymoron or not or the scientific theories are to be considered as the absolute truth.
Answer to Problem 3CC
The phrase “scientific certainty” is an oxymoron since a new data is added to the knowledge base of science constantly with the passage of time.
Explanation of Solution
The natural world has a huge collection of knowledge which is still unknown to humans. There are many mysterious processes and events in the world whose reasons cannot be explained yet. As time goes, technology is progressing at an alarming rate and thus, the new information added to the scientific field updates every day.
The information about the world constantly changes with the addition of new observations and data to the knowledge base. In the presence of the newly available data, it becomes inevitable and mandatory to recheck the scientific hypotheses, theories, and facts. In case of any inconsistency, they have to be updated and reframed. If some facts are proven wrong in the future, they have to be discarded.
As far as the addition of new information continues, the presently believed and proven scientific truths may be subjected to the changes in the future. Therefore, the phrase “scientific certainty” is an oxymoron.
As time passes, the scientific statements would be a series of increasingly correct and precise statements commonly thus, ultimately reaching a point where it will be questioned never. It would be true if it is said that the science attains a stage which is probably certain, on account of the accessible data.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 1 Solutions
Essentials of Oceanography (12th Edition)
- PLEASE HELP ASAP On Figure 3.8, outline the zone of earthquakes. Draw a line in Figure 3.8 at the depth of 100 kilometers to indicate the top of the asthenosphere - the zone of partly melted and weak Earth material. Label the line top of the asthenosphere.arrow_forwardHexagonal system. Indicate the expression that gives the volume of the “larger cell” and the volume of the “smaller cell”.arrow_forwardHexagonal system. Indicate the volume of the “larger cell” and the volume of the “smaller cell”.arrow_forward
- f the same amount of sunlight was hitting an area of land and an area of water, which area would heat more rapidly? The land would heat more rapidly. The water would heat more rapidly. They would both heat at about the same rate It would depend on the characteristics of the water and land.arrow_forwardThe Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain physiographic province has which of the following characteristics? Many fertile swamps and marshes Low, rolling hills Folding, uplift, and faulting Small mountain ranges and flat valleysarrow_forwardSuppose you are visiting the equator. It is noon. The Sun is at its highest point in the sky for the day, which is directly over your head. You call a friend on the phone, and she says it is also noon where she is but the Sun is not directly overhead at that location and time. It is a little lower in the sky for her. Compare the longitude and latitude of your location with the longitude and latitude of your friend's location. Are they alike or different? How do you know?arrow_forward
- Provide examples to illustrate the effects of glacier and ice sheet melting on climate globally and regionally. Use words to illustrate any feedback mechanisms between melting ice sheets and the climate.arrow_forwardUse diagrams and word explanations to show how excess heat from the tropics is transferred to higher latitudes (discuss cells and ciruclations) . Additionally, show how the broadening of the Hadley Cell, caused by rising greenhouse gases, could affect surface climate in subtropical and mid-latitude regions.arrow_forwardExplain why the Earth is in not in radiative equilibriumarrow_forward
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science ...Earth ScienceISBN:9780134746241Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. TasaPublisher:PEARSON
Exercises for Weather & Climate (9th Edition)Earth ScienceISBN:9780134041360Author:Greg CarbonePublisher:PEARSON
Environmental ScienceEarth ScienceISBN:9781260153125Author:William P Cunningham Prof., Mary Ann Cunningham ProfessorPublisher:McGraw-Hill Education
Earth Science (15th Edition)Earth ScienceISBN:9780134543536Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. TasaPublisher:PEARSON
Environmental Science (MindTap Course List)Earth ScienceISBN:9781337569613Author:G. Tyler Miller, Scott SpoolmanPublisher:Cengage Learning
Physical GeologyEarth ScienceISBN:9781259916823Author:Plummer, Charles C., CARLSON, Diane H., Hammersley, LisaPublisher:Mcgraw-hill Education,