Chapter 18, Problem 40A

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The difference between observation, inference and skepticism.

Introduction:

Science is a systematic study which builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations. It is the application of knowledge for understanding the various phenomenon by following a systematic methodology. The methodology involves observation, classification, using numbers, measurement. The various methods employed for reasoning are universal in nature.

Explanation of Solution

Observation: The observation can be defined as something that is experienced by a person. For example, if a person can touch, feel, smell, see hear, calculate and experiment of something, the experience of the person will be referred to as observation.

The inference can be defined as an idea, which is deduced from reasoning and evidences are present for the belief. and reasoning. It is an educated guess.

The skepticism is a belief that is not supported by the evidences, nor it is an educated guess. It is a popular belief which is followed or practiced for long time by a group of people or an individual.