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Science and Non-science (1957)
About this film
Holding a forked twig he describes as being greased with "possum oil by the dark of the moon," Harlow Shapley (Paine Professor of Practical Astronomy, Emeritus, Harvard University) dowses for water and probes for the differences between science and non-science. In the source of his explorations, Shapley examines flying saucers ("hallucinations or real?"), astrology ("Isn't there really something in astrology?"), weather prediction ("Red sky at night, sailors' delight; Red sky at morning, sailors take warning."). Professor Le Corbeiller adds that though non-science promises the secrets of happiness, science provides truth, a controversial conclusion to a controversial subject. (Description adapted from documents in the NET Microfiche)
Directors & creators
WGBH Educational Foundation
Subjects
public broadcasting, AAPB, Science, Non-science, Scientific method, Harlow Shapley, Objectivity, Subjectivity, Rationality, Superstition, Flying saucers, Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), Astronomy, Astrology, Dowsing, Pseudoscience, Atmospheric phenomena, Meteorites, Weather balloons, Mirages, Hallucinations, Logic, Observation, Hypothesis testing, Human perception, Gullibility, Theory vs. Fact
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