精读|2017.2.27-2017.3.1|Introduction The Science Book

1.perpetual 

adj. uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing

“the perpetual struggle to maintain standards in a democracy”

2.empirical

adj. derived from experiment and observation rather than theory

“an empirical basis for an ethical theory”

3.falsify

v. prove false

“Falsify a claim”

4.speculative

adj. not based on fact or investigation

“speculative knowledge”

5.compelling

adj. tending to persuade by forcefulness of argument

new and compelling evidence

6.geocentric (geocentric universe 地心说)

adj. having the earth at its centre

the Ptolemaic system postulated a geocentric universe

7.immortal

adj. not subject to death

Immortal describes what will never die. Do you like vampires?

8.heavenly

adj. of or belonging to heaven or god

Something that is heavenly is very pleasant and enjoyable.

9.navigational

adj. of or relating to navigation

navigational aids

10.seeker

n. someone making a search or inquiry

they are seekers after truth

11.magnificent

adj. characterized by grandeur

“magnificent cathedrals”

12.ingenious

adj. showing inventiveness and skill

“an ingenious solution to the problem”

13.astrolabe

n. an early form of sextant

An astrolabe is an ancient instrument used for estimating the altitude and predicting the position of celestial objects, such as the moon, other planets, and stars.

14.flourish

v. grow vigorously

A flourish is an extra touch — a trumpet's "ta-ta-da!" announcing a king's entrance, a fancy carving atop an otherwise utilitarian pillar, a wave of a flag or a cheerleader's pompom.

15.numeral

n. a symbol used to represent a number

A numeral is a number. When you set an online password, it's safest to use both numerals and letters.

16.monopoly

n. exclusive control or possession of something

A monopoly is the exclusive ownership or control of something.

17.anatomist

n an expert in anatomy

18.dissection

n. a minute and critical analysis

Dissection is the process of separating something into pieces.

19.quash

v. declare invalid

Quash means to put down, stop, extinguish, and it’s usually used to talk about ideas, feelings, or political movements.

20.microscopic

adj. so small as to be invisible without a microscope

Skin cells, bacteria, and some kinds of algae are all microscopic, or too small to see without a microscope.

科学一般人看起来似乎是一个只能仰望而无法触及的东西，但是科学也是通过前人的摸索一步一步假设、实践、推翻、证明而来的。

首先是研究方法的进步，从thought+argument到prediction+experiment+observation，从一开始的想象世界到之后不断证明提出新的假设并证伪不断发展，科技的发展也为自然研究打开了新道路。

其次是研究领域的拓展，从天文、物理、化学、生物、地理等自然科学领域到人类学、考古学、伦理学等社会科学领域。

再次是研究地域的扩展，科学的思想起源于古希腊，之后经过文字书籍的传承，成为其他地区探索和发展科学的重要途径。

最后是研究精神的变革，从古希腊使其的权威到现在的百家争鸣，各种新的理论新的研究不断涌现，使得科学更加加速进步。