Introduction

 

• Overview
• The scientific method
  • What is the ``scientific method''?
  • What is the difference between a fact, a theory and a hypothesis?
  • Truth and proof in science.
  • If scientific theories keep changing, where is the Truth?
  • What is Ockham's Razor?
  • How much fraud is there in science?
  • Are scientists wearing blinkers?
  • Why should we worry?
• Large numbers
• Appendix: Examples of large numbers
  • Times (in seconds)
  • Distances (in meters)
  • Velocities (in meters per second)
  • Masses (in kilograms)
  • Temperatures (in deg. Kelvin)
  • Monies (in 1994 US dollars)