Discussion On The Neutrality Of Knowledge In Natural Science

Discussion on the neutrality of knowledge in natural science Le Duc Hoang

Real Life Situation Gatorade Sport Science Institute: -

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Founded in 1985 Aim: helping athletes optimize their health and performance Method: Study athletes through exercises,record body fluid and body weight before and after each exercise → hydration and nutrition These findings are used to advertise energy drink

KQ: To what extent knowledge in natural science neutral ? Definition: -

Neutral: Not supporting/helping either sides in a conflict, argument

How is this related to our real-life situation? -

Natural science: Gatorade Sport Science Institute and other research funded conduct research into how our body changes during exercises (Biology, Physic, Chemistry) Neutral: Because of the financial background of both the Institute and other research , how would we know these data are not distorted in favor of companies’ bottom line?

AOKs and WOKs AOKs -

Natural Science

WOKs -

Reasoning Language Emotion

Knowledge Claim #1: Knowledge in Natural is often considered objective and reliable -

Methodology: -

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Reasoning is based completely on logic → prove truth from false Based on combination of ways of knowing: reason(deduction), sense perception, imagination Subject to peer-review and falsification

⇒ As a result,We tends to put much trust into knowledge in natural science

AoK: Natural Science WoKs: Sense perception, Reason

Counterclaim #1: Knowledge in Natural Science is prone to biases for personal gains Theranos (2003 - 2018): -

Specialize in blood-testing technology Aim: Users can have blood test faster and more convenient with a drop of blood 9 billion $ worth companies Use third party existing test equipment to fake data of their research Only 12/240 promised test is achievable with noticeable inaccuracy ⇒ Theranos tempered the data in their scientific research for the financial gains

Relate back to RLS -

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They spent millions in funding to their own research and graduate-level research in top universities Findings: Soccer players can covered 25% more distance and they would drink more water during a game when they consume a sports drink Data seems to prove otherwise for brief work out: showed that athletes performed just as well with water as they did with sports drinks so long as their exercise period didn't exceed 50 minutes Paying for ads on sport teams and organizations and invite coaches and trainers to visit laboratorys and give them studies’ results

Knowledge Claim #2: Completely neutral knowledge in Natural Science is impossible to achieve -

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Bias in the creation of knowledge: - Confirmation bias: we tends to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that supports our beliefs Bias in interpretation of knowledge by emotion: - RLS: the discovery of crystal structures in metal alloys - Because of their biased personal knowledge ,his peers refused his findings and bring his method’s validity into question - Later proven correct.

Counterclaim #2: Biased knowledge can be beneficial AoK: Natural Science WoK: Emotion While inventions due to accident do happens: - Passion and determination fuels science research and innovations - The process of experimentation and reasoning requires extensive research

RLS: The process of inventing the lightbulb required more than 1000 unsuccessful attempts “genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration” -Thomas Edison

Conclusion -

In conclusion: Knowledge in Natural science is often considered reliable However, knowledge is not neutral despite using an objective method as they can be manipulated for personal reasons. Not only that there may be flaws due to emotion that may affect our acceptance of knowledge. Emotion can also be beneficial as scientific research takes a long time Link back to RLS: Even though Gatorade tried to use an objective approach in the research with using extensive research . The financial incentive behind their findings may have cloud the results. Thus the knowledge generated by Gatorade is not neutral but rather in favour of Gatorade

Link back to new RLS AOK: Human Science -

Daryl Bem (2010) in Psychology : Findings about suggesting precognition power is real -

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Findings suggest that people would recall words that they were going to be asked or high chances of choosing the correct option

Published on the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology Others point out faults in his methodology and there was unsuccessful replication attempts of his research, these attempts are not published→ Publication bias

⇒ Conclusion: Knowledge in different AOKs such as Human Science also prone to being biased

Bibliography https://www.theguardian.com/science/2012/mar/15/precognition-studies-curse-failed-replications https://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/jan/06/dan-shechtman-nobel-prize-chemistry-interview https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB957811263235760241 https://www.wsj.com/articles/theranos-has-struggled-with-blood-tests-1444881901 https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2010/12/study-looks-brains-ability-see-future https://www.theguardian.com/science/2012/mar/15/precognition-studies-curse-failed-replications https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8897383/