201k views
0 votes
Which best explains how and why scientific knowledge is continually expanded and improved?

a) The scientific process flows in one direction.
b) The scientific process is cyclical.
c) Explanations found to be true don't need questioning.
d) Facts found don't need repeating experiments.

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

Scientific knowledge is constantly evolving through a cyclical and self-correcting process of testing and revising theories based on new evidence, leading to paradigm shifts and a more refined understanding of the natural world.

Step-by-step explanation:

The scientific knowledge is continually expanded and improved because the scientific process is cyclical and self-correcting. This means that scientific ideas and theories are constantly tested and revised in light of new evidence and observations. The process includes both deductive reasoning, where ideas are systematically examined using experiments, and inductive reasoning, where observations can lead to the formation of new theories.

Scientific knowledge does not only accumulate over time, but it is also subject to change. When new evidence emerges, existing theories may be refined or replaced. This is reflected in the concept of a paradigm shift, a term coined by Thomas Kuhn, which describes a radical change in scientific thinking as a result of new discoveries and observations.

Moreover, scientific reasoning and the application of the scientific method are iterative and non-linear, often raising new questions while answering existing ones. It's a complex process of inference, generalization, and pattern finding that is enhanced with the advancement of technology, leading to even more refined and detailed scientific understanding.

User Saulo Silva
by
8.7k points