The Big Bang Theory and the Scientific Method

In this written analysis, I will discuss three aspects pertaining to the Scientific Method and its potential hazards that may occur. First, I will be focusing in on Feyerabend, who discusses multiple opinions that would typically not agree with modern science. I will review how the scientific method was better suited for science in prior years, but has not lived up to its potential for modern science. Another aspect that I will be discussing is on the abuse of the scientific method followed by examples in science.

The scientific method limits the scope of scientific discovery, such that it is an inadequate tool for scientific discovery.

The scientific method was an important tool for science in the age of the Scientific Revolution, but has not stood the test of time. Sir Francis Bacon, the father of the scientific method, had created the two-step method as a way to perform repeated observations. The purpose was to be able to make bold claims, and to reproduce these claims to progress science.

This philosophy on science can be seen as problematic due to its observing with the senses, and falsifying previous discoveries in order to create newer claims. Through this way of thinking, it can become impossible to prove theories such as evolution. Since there is not enough observable evidence to see evolution in progress we may never prove it, and it needs to factor of reproducibility. Overall, the scientific method cannot be seen as a sound way of conducting a scientific experiment.

Feyerabend exclaims against the method, in which he takes a strong stand against the scientific method.

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The philosopher makes a point in saying how many great scientists have certain techniques that are useful in the moment as opposed to following a strict methodology. It’s Feyerabend’s theory of Epistemology Anarchism where these views are truly expressed. He mentions that what truly matters is what the scientific community believes. Therefore, since we don’t know what the future may hold, we must not be confined to a singular method of discovery and observation. Feyerabend also provides examples of events, which show true progress but due to their not strict following of the scientific method, violates prescriptive principles from which science was built on. the Copernican revolution(2), for example, it explores the idea that we create our experiences so you cannot make the argument that our knowledge is true of the world around us.

Due to its limitations, the scientific method may be abused by some in order to push a certain agenda or social construct. The Big Bang theory is a fairly useful example of this claim. Dr. Massimiliano Di Ventra from the University of California exclaims, “We hear that since the Big Bang ‘occurred,’ it is a direct ‘proof’ that an act of creation happened.”(1) The issue is that there is no direct observable proof of this event occurring, nor could it be reproduced in order to prove its factuality. Ventra goes on to say, “How do I go from the description of these complex physical systems to who or what has created them if empirical means are the only ones at my disposal? The only way I can answer this question is with philosophical or religious arguments.”(1) Here, he mentions how there is no possible way that one could progress the Big Bang theory through our scientific means. Empiricism calls for observable or sensory type experience in order to prove the factuality of theory, thus the scientific method is an inadequate tool for discovery.

Scientific discovery has been burdened with the use of the scientific method. From when Sir Francis Bacon constructed the method it had created a limited extension on the Scientific community. Feyerabend realized the pitfalls associated with the method, which influence him to express his views on Epistemology Anarchism. Feyerabend urges that science is based on what works at the time rather than limiting discovery to a singular method. It is apparent that this method is flawed in some ways, as seen through the Big Bang theory example. The scientific method is limiting the acceleration of scientific discovery, it must be forgone in order to allow for new discovery.