KERNEL: Scientific Method

KERNEL: Scientific Method
Primary Source: Wikipedia, Elements of the Scientific Method


I consider the Scientific Method to be the core kernel of knowledge to preserve, and that all else follows from its careful application. Lewis Dartnell has called it "our greatest invention".

In addition to the essentials given below, causality, falsifiability, reproducible results and Occam's Razor are supplementary principles I've added to the kernel.


Original Formulation (quoted from Wikipedia with references removed):

Four essential elements of the scientific method are iterations, recursions, interleavings, or orderings of the following:

• Characterizations (observations, definitions, and measurements of the subject of inquiry)
• Hypotheses (theoretical, hypothetical explanations of observations and measurements of the subject)^.
• Predictions (reasoning including deductive reasoning from the hypothesis or theory)
• Experiments (tests of all of the above)

Each element of the scientific method is subject to peer review for possible mistakes.


Reformulation:

The heart of Scientific Method is repeating these approaches:

• Ask what, how many or how much, and why?
• Ask what if?
• Ask if so, then what?
• Test prediction by experiment.
• If prediction is not confirmed, ask why not?
• Ask that others can reproduce your results.
• Among equivalent explanations, prefer the simpler.
• Repeat.

Poetic Rendition

The Way of Knowing

I.  Curiosity

Ask of the world what?
Ask of the world how?
Ask of the world why?

Look well to see what is
Record its pulse
Take its measure

Imagine how this might lead to that
Test to see if it be so
Ask of that which does not fit, why not?
And of that which cannot fit, what then?

Question yourself
Question assumption
Question tradition
Question authority


II.  Method

Measure that which is observed
Let go that which is not observed

Prefer observation to prediction
Let go prediction denied by observation

Test prediction by trial
Let go that which is not confirmed

Learn from mistake
Let go that which is mistaken

Compare trial by one with that by another
Let go that which is not reproducible

Prefer the simpler explanation
Let go that which is complex beyond need

No knowledge is final knowledge
The way turns upon itself
A spiral without end

III.  Caution

Beware of knowledge
For it has neither heart nor pity
But is heavy with consequence

Remember your heart

Remember your pity

Weigh consequence

Remember that which is taken apart
Is made less than the whole

And might not be made whole again

Remember that we and the world are one
That all lives run together

Wisdom without knowledge is toothless
Knowledge without wisdom is folly

Though all else be forgotten
Here is our greatest gift
To you who come after

May you use it wisely