Description
This course is a discussion-based evaluation of major scientific ideas throughout history and the paradigm shifts that accompanied new data and new interpretations of that data. The course is roughly divided into three sections: Physics, Astronomy, and Biology. In each area, we will read texts written by the scientists who established and revolutionized disciplines and follow the scientific and theological implications of advances in each of these fields. In physics, we will consider shift how science was conducted by evaluating explanations of motion in Aristotle and Galileo. In astronomy, we will assess the reasonableness of Ptolemy's model of the universe and consider the paradigm shifts accompanying the ideas of Copernicus and later the Big Bang. In biology, we will examine the massive paradigm shift largely credited to Darwin and also evaluate the impact of genetics and DNA on our understanding of evolution. Across all of these we will learn about the importance of quality data, t