Examine the scenario.
A scientist wishes to discover whether dinosaurs were warm-blooded or cold–blooded. However, he cannot directly perform any measurements or experiments because dinosaurs are extinct.
What aspects of scientific thinking can help him study this question and still follow the scientific method?
(Select all that apply)
practice deductive reasoning by studying living warm- and cold-blooded creatures
practice skepticism and avoid accepting any opinions as an absolute fact
practice empiricism and avoid practicing any other methods
practice rationalism in order to formulate explanations
A,D?
Yes, you are correct! The scientist can apply both deductive reasoning and rationalism in this scenario to study the question of whether dinosaurs were warm-blooded or cold-blooded. Let's break it down:
A) Deductive reasoning is a logical process of using general principles or rules to draw specific conclusions. In this case, the scientist can study living warm-blooded and cold-blooded creatures to gather information and draw conclusions about the possible characteristics or behaviors of dinosaurs.
D) Rationalism involves the use of logical and reasoned explanations to understand the world. The scientist can use this approach to formulate hypotheses and explanations based on available evidence and knowledge about dinosaur anatomy, physiology, and behavior.
However, it is important to note that neither skepticism nor empiricism necessarily apply in this scenario:
B) While skepticism is a crucial aspect of scientific thinking, the scientist cannot simply reject all opinions as absolute facts since direct measurements or experiments on dinosaurs are not possible. Instead, the scientist should critically analyze the available evidence and draw tentative conclusions based on the best available data.
C) Empiricism is the practice of acquiring knowledge through observation and experimentation. In this case, the scientist cannot directly observe or experiment on dinosaurs since they are extinct. Therefore, the scientist will rely on indirect evidence, such as the fossil record or comparative anatomy, to make inferences about dinosaur physiology.
So, the correct options would be A) and D).