values, science, correlation and causation

First Session: Some basics about values, science, correlation and causation

Values and Science

Fundamentalism "emphasizes a return to literal interpretations of the scriptural texts.” (Capps, 1990 in Giddens 1996, 289).

In Christian Fundamentalism “the Bible is seen as a workable guidebook for politics, government, business, families, and all over the affairs of mankind" (Capps, 1990 cited in Giddens 1996, 289)

Science is different from this ideological doctrine. Science and ideology do not mix. However, scientific logic and ideological belief can coexist.

· The logic used in belief and in scientific inquiry are different

· Scientific logic cannot be applied in an ideological belief system, and vice versa

Examples:

· Disprove evolutionism with creationism (TX)

· Determining the number of Angles fitting through the eye of a needle (Vatican)

QUESTION: What is a value free statement?

Example 1

A: "The medical service of abortion should be legal and readily available"

B: "The medical service of abortion should be illegal and not available"

Example 2

In historic times or other cultures where abortion is illegal

abortions get still performed
abortions bear a higher health risk for women
societies were suppressive

In example 1 we tell people what to do

In example 2 we inform people and let it up to their own evaluation what they should do. => task for sociology

Correlation and Causation

Correlation: co-occurrence of two or more events

Causation: one event is a necessary prerequisite for the other

Causality: the relationship between a cause and its effect

Correlation or Causation?

Example 1: Someone uses the legal drug alcohol and the illegal drug marijuana

Example 2: Someone uses the marijuana and heroin.

Example 3: A study has shown that student who use marijuana have a higher IQ than other students.

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