Being a Good Biologist
When we think about defining a good biologist, the origin of what is considered in culturally common thought of as 'good' science and our definition of what defines a 'biologist' will differ. A biologist can be often described as a scientist who studies living organisms and their relationship to their environment. When looking at being a good biologist, the gathering and evaluation of evidence is essential to the definition of a good scientist must posses. Whether or not one chooses to challenge the concept of evolution, a general acceptance of the scientific community, does not deny the possibility of being a good biologist. Some would consider the statement "Evolution is only a theory, it hasn't been proved" as fact. On the contrary, the lack of proof isn't a weakness and claiming infallibility for one's conclusions is a sign of hubris (Worf, Benjamin. 1940. Science & Linguistics). In this world, nothing has ever been rigorously proved. Often a scientist findings proposes an idea that may attack all cherished philosophical doctrines of what we know about science. Albert Einstien, popular among young scientists, was certainly not taken seriously as a 'good physicist' until the old scientist who rejected his theories had died
Defying the concept of irrefutably true fact occurs frequently through the process of good science. Science is a questioning process. "A good scientist should always question his/her beliefs (Freeling. 1998. Lecture)." When Kepler questioned the role of the Earth as the center of the universe, his theories were attacked and persecuted by the religious community. The religious community disbelieved that Earth was not the center of the universe when all their known facts had led them to believe it was true. Kepler could not directly prove his own theories but was lead to accept what was known as common fact or irrefutably true. Challenges on what is the basis for a good scientist often brings controversial ideas. On Evolution, Charles Darwin introduced a rather controversial theory or idea whose idea didn't fit the common scientific model of truth. The idea that life on Earth has evolved was widely discussed in Europe in the late 1700's and the early part of the last century. In 1859 Charles Darwin supplied a mechanism, namely natural selection, that could explain how evolution occurs. Darwin's theory of natural selection helped to convince most people that life has evolved and this point has not been seriously challenged in the past one hundred and thirty years. A good scientist should not avoid the possibility of fallacy in Darwin's theories. A good scientist should know what it takes to distinguish from bias and prove, if not for oneself, to others that the evidence to existing knowledge is fact. Often it takes a revolutionary theory or concept many years to eventually be accepted as truth as many good scientist
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Approximate Word count = 1100
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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