BLA1158

1. Human sciences are "fuzzy" sciences, but they are still sciences.
Sigmund Freud made many radical suggestions in the field of human sciences. Although some of his ideas were proven to be untrue, others are still scientifically applicable today.

2. Science requires data.
We //must// provide proof to back up our statements! Ivan Pavlov was one of the first scientists to find a means of measuring psychological activity. He did so by using different triggers that caused a dog to drool. Different triggers provided different results. By observing the amount of drool the dog produced, Pavlov had found himself some data!

Freud is an example of someone who broke this law many times. He would make outrageous claims and insist they were true simply because no one could prove him wrong.

3. Science runs on careful criticism.
Scientists who do not share respect for one another may also choose not to share data with each other. A scientific community can only be healthy if all members cooperate kindly, and get along with each other. Careful criticism means to review all aspects of the research and be precise in what you are critiquing.

4. Fight fire with fire, and data with data.
You cannot simply say someone is wrong about something without providing some counter reasoning. Nor can you claim you are right without backing yourself up with reasoning. The only way to really combat another person's research, is to do //more// research.

5. There's power in precise terms.
I once heard a story about a homosexual man coming out to his parents. He decided to tell them on his birthday when he had gone out to dinner with them. During the meal he finally told them. He received some mildly disappointed reactions from his father and siblings. His mother just looked confused. The family finished eating. He felt very uncomfortable for the duration of the meal. Then the check came. They sat awkwardly as no one reached out to pick it up. His mom looked at him confused and asked, "Didn't you say you were going to pay?" The man laughed and said, "No mother! I didn't say I'll pay! I said I'm gay!"

6. Correlation is not causation.
Many people believe that pubic hair growth is a result of hormones released during puberty. This is not true. Pubic hair and puberty occur close in a person's lifetime but they do neither phenomenon is a //causation// of the other. They are both matters of continuity.

8. Beware the plausible, __especially__ if it works.
Always be sure to examine all variables of experimentation/research. In many cases, a lack of completeness in a study can be lethal. A perfect example of this is [|drug recalls].

9. Where there's smoke, there's smoke.
Always question everything. Those who blindly follow orders are inevitably bound to face negative consequences.

10. Lack of evidence doesn't mean it's false.
(not just Jesus, but also god and religion etc)