Table of Contents

Preface. 1. SCIENCE. Just What Is Science? Asking Why. Scientific Method. The Consequences of Science. Scientific Method in Daily Life. Exercises. 2. OBSERVATION. Making Accurate Observations. Anomalous Phenomena. Observation and Anomalous Phenomena. The Burden of Proof. Summary. Exercises. 3. PROPOSING EXPLANATIONS. Explanation. Causes. Correlation. Causal Mechanisms. Underlying Processes. Laws. Function. The Interdependence of Explanatory Methods. Rival Explanations and Ockham's Razor. Explanation and Description. Summary. Exercises. 4. TESTING EXPLANATIONS. The Basic Method. How to Test an Explanation. How Not to Test an Explanation. Testing Extraordinary Claims. Summary. Exercises. 5. ESTABLISHING CAUSAL LINKS. Causal Studies. Limited Effect Levels. Multiple Causal Factors. Bias and Expectation. Types of Causal Study. Reading Between the Lines. Summary. Exercises. 6. FALLACIES IN THE NAME OF SCIENCE. What Is a Fallacy? False Anomalies. Questionable Arguments by Elimination. Illicit Causal Inferences. Unsupported Analogies and Similarities. Untestable Explanations. Redundant Predictions. Ad Hoc Rescues. Science and Pseudoscience. The Limits of Scientific Explanation. Summary. Exercises. Further Reading. Index.