Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
The Scientific Method: Reflections from a Practitioner
Speaker
Professor Massimiliano Di Ventra
Coordinator
Steve Clarey
We often hear about the “scientific method,’’ and how it is the cornerstone of science. But what is it, and how is it (or should it be) practiced? In this talk, I will explain the scientific methodology from the point of view of an experienced practitioner. I will also clarify the errors one makes when abusing it in contexts that are not scientific, e.g., when we attempt to use science to answer questions that truly pertain to philosophy or religion.
Speaker Bio
Presenter: Massimiliano Di Ventra is a professor in the UC San Diego Physics Deparatment. His research interests are in condensed matter physics, nanoscience, and unconventional computing. He is the author of The Scientific Method: Reflections from a Practitioner and has been invited to deliver more than 350 talks worldwide on these topics. He obtained his PhD from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.
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