Cover; Half Title; Title Page; Copyright Page; Contents; Preface; About the author; Chapter 1: Introduction; Part 1: Common misunderstandings of the scientific method; The topic of debate must be defined unambiguously; A true scientist must be detached; A scientific theory can never be proven beyond doubt; Separate observations that are consistent with a theory do not correspond to additional confirmation; Refutability as a criterion for evaluating a scientific theory; Consensus is not a criterion for the validity of a theory; The illusion of modeling; Part 2: General introduction.
Conjectures and refutationsCriteria for evaluating a theory; The need for science to grow (or to progress); Requirements for progress of science; Dangers to progress; References; Chapter 3: How the lack of scientific input impacts research organizations; Australian ministers in charge of science portfolio; The contribution of the Honorable R.G. Casey; A short history of CSIRO after its formation; Changes resulting from reviews of CSIRO; How scientific knowledge is acquired; How managerial control purports to drive science; Comparison of the two approaches; How has the CSIRO fared?
How science of excellence can still be achievedHow could it have happened?; Making decisions without the basic knowledge; How important scientific discoveries are made; Effect of organizational changes on research; Where angels fear to tread; Where was the scientific leadership?; Why do toxic work environments form in science organizations?; How do toxic workplace environments arise?; The control freak; The narcissist; The serial bully; The psychopath; What is a psychopath?; Characteristics of psychopaths; How are psychopaths identified?; The Hare checklist.
The range of capacity for critical thinkingDistinction between science and pseudoscience; Transition from dogmatic to critical thinking; How this relates to anthropogenic global warming; Faults in application of the scientific method; Absence of scientific thinking in political debate; Summarizing thoughts; Chapter 2: The scientific method; The problem of demarcation; Notable theories of the early twentieth century; Comparisons of the different theories; Guidelines for evaluating theories; Refutability as the criterion for demarcation; Probability and informative content.
The requirement to obtain a proportion of the research fundingEffect of these changes on the workplace environment; The climate change controversy; The lack of scientific thinking in the debate; Errors in application of science; Balanced debate can still occur; Expansion of the managerial approach; The present working environment; The Victims of CSIRO blog site; References; Chapter 4: How could this have happened?; A career in science; Effect of the requirement to procure funding; Why do not more scientists enter politics?; Are scientists different?
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"The book exposes many of the misunderstandings about the scientific method and its application to critical thinking. It argues for a better understanding of the scientific method and for nurturing critical thinking in the community. This knowledge helps the reader to analyze issues more objectively, and warns about the dangers of bias and propaganda. The principles are illustrated by considering several issues that are currently being debated. These include anthropogenic global warming (often loosely referred to as climate change), dangers to preservation of the Great Barrier Reef, and the expansion of the gluten-free food market and genetic engineering."--Provided by publisher.