Introduction

Relevance of the Theme

Scientific Thought versus Common Sense: an intimate and uninterrupted clash throughout the history of humanity. It is through this that our ideas are shaped, theories emerge, and the world evolves. Studying this confrontation allows us to better understand how knowledge is constructed, validated, refuted, or transformed. At the heart of the Philosophy discipline, this theme offers a critical perspective on the very nature of knowledge.

Contextualization

In the vast universe of Philosophy, this theme is an essential pillar for the discipline. The first year of High School marks the crucial moment when students begin to question the world around them more deeply. This study is located in the unit of Epistemology, which deals specifically with theories of knowledge. Here, the distinction between scientific thought and common sense provides a solid foundation for future explorations of logical reasoning, argumentation, and variations of theories. Thus, this theme is a springboard for more complex and interdisciplinary explorations within Philosophy.

Theoretical Development

Components

• Definition of Scientific Thought: Characterized mainly by its systematic and rigorous nature, scientific thought is a thought structure that seeks to observe, explain, predict and/or control the phenomena of nature and society, through clear and objective methods.

• Definition of Common Sense: Represents shared knowledge, acquired through everyday experience, without necessarily following orchestrated methods. It is a set of beliefs, opinions, and knowledge considered "obvious" by a particular culture or social group.

• Characteristics of Scientific Thought: It stands out for its methodical, analytical, critical, and objective nature. These characteristics allow the creation of theories and general laws that are testable and falsifiable.

• Characteristics of Common Sense: It is reflective, subjective, and practical. Although it is a valid form of knowledge, common sense is not always based on empirical evidence or follows a rigorous method of verification.

Key Terms

• Refutability: A fundamental characteristic of scientific thought, which refers to the possibility of a scientific theory being tested and potentially discredited based on evidence, contrary to common sense understanding.

• Induction and Deduction: These are logical processes that play a crucial role in scientific thought. Induction is the inference of a theory from observations, while deduction is the application of a theory to predict a specific outcome.

• Paradigm: Refers to a set of concepts, theories, methods, and practices that are widely accepted by a scientific community to explain phenomena. A paradigm changes when new evidence or perspectives contradict the existing paradigm.

Examples and Cases

• Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution: This is an emblematic example of the power and efficacy of scientific thought. Darwin formulated his theory based on extensive studies and observations, challenging the common sense of the time that believed in the immutability of species.

• Copernicus and Heliocentrism: The heliocentric model of the solar system created by Copernicus is a historical example of a scientific paradigm that challenged common sense, which considered the Earth to be the center of the universe.

• The Popular Belief of Full Moon and Madness: Despite being a myth debunked by science, many people still believe that the full moon causes mental disturbances. This example illustrates the resistance of common sense in the face of scientific evidence.

• New Scientific Paradigms: Quantum Physics, for example, introduced ideas and concepts that seem contrary to common sense, such as wave-particle duality and uncertainty. This evidences the elasticity and malleability of scientific thought in the quest for a better understanding of the world.

Detailed Summary

Relevant Points

• Scientific Thought X Common Sense: This is a key dichotomy in Philosophy, as it addresses how we interpret and understand the world around us. While scientific thought is structured, systematic, and based on clear and objective methods, common sense is subjective, practical, and based on everyday beliefs and experiences.

• Characteristics of Scientific Thought: The success and efficacy of scientific thought are due to its distinct characteristics, such as objectivity, methodicity, analyticity, and refutability. These characteristics allow the creation of testable, falsifiable theories that can be built or modified from observations.

• Differences between Induction and Deduction: Induction is a reasoning process that leads to a general theory through specific observations, while deduction is a process of applying a general theory to obtain a specific conclusion. Both play important roles in scientific thought.

• The Importance of Refutability in Science: Refutability is the cornerstone of scientific thought, allowing for the verification and falsification of theories. This contrasts strongly with common sense, which often relies on immutable and unquestionable ideas.

• The Roles of Paradigms: Paradigms are sets of concepts, theories, and practices that are widely accepted by a scientific community to explain phenomena. However, paradigms can be challenged and even replaced by new knowledge, highlighting the dynamic nature of scientific thought.

Conclusions

• The Interdependence of Scientific Thought and Common Sense: Although they seem opposite, scientific thought and common sense are interconnected and influence each other. Common sense provides insights and ideas that can be refined or even refuted by scientific thought, while scientific thought, in turn, can influence and shape common sense.

• The Need to Think Critically: The study of scientific thought and common sense underscores the importance of thinking critically and questioning our beliefs and perceptions. This is essential in a society that is constantly evolving and requires evidence-based solutions.

• The Evolution of Knowledge: The history of science is a continuous narrative of paradigms being challenged and replaced by more complete explanatory models. This reinforces the idea that knowledge is fluid and must be constantly reevaluated.

Exercises

1. Comparative Discussion: Ask students to compare and contrast a common sense belief with a scientific theory. They should discuss the characteristics and formation of each and how they relate or differ from each other.

2. Refutability of Theories: Select a well-known scientific theory and discuss how it demonstrates refutability. Then, ask students to think of evidence that could potentially refute or support the theory.

3. New Scientific Paradigms: Through examples like Quantum Physics, discuss the idea of changing scientific paradigms. Ask students to think about how quantum principles might seem in conflict with common sense and how scientists arrived at these discoveries.