What is Science?

We give a brief discussion of issues related to the nature of science. Our formulation is such that it applies to all scientific domains. We also present an argument which illustrates why mathematics is of fundamental importance to scientific methodology. Finally, a summary is provided of the pre-conditions which must be satisfied, in the physical universe, such that science is possible

Systems Exhibiting Alternative Futures

We construct an explicit example of a physical system having alternative futures (AFs). Several other such systems are also introduced and characterized, but not discussed in detail. Our major goal is to use these results to demonstrate the existence and meaning of the concept of counterfactual histories (CFHs). We find that any system having AFs will also exhibit the phenomenon of CFHs

STEM Initiatives at HBCUs: Uplift and Activism at Work

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were established to educate Africans Americans. Initially founded in the nineteenth century, these schools both taught and empowered a population that was largely excluded from American higher education. In the years immediately following the American Civil War, the number of HBCUs increased dramatically as the newly freedmen determined to improve themselves and their lives through the pursuit of education. Training in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (or STEM) fields accounts for a great deal of the professional success that African Americans have historically enjoyed. One un-explored dimension of the work done by HBCUs relates to the STEM fields’ efforts in pursuit of social justice. Relatively little is known about the efforts of HBCUs to identify and address issues that disproportionately impact African American communities, including increased instances of disease and environmental racism. This paper asserts that the scientific and technological undertakings of many of these institutions reflect a continuation of their historic commitment to uplift and social activism. STEM initiatives not only serve to advance the agenda of innovation that many universities seek to promote, but also benefit the local communities

Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread: The African American Megachurch and Prosperity Theology

This dissertation explores the simultaneous rise of megachurches and Prosperity Theology within the black church. Recognizing that the megachurch and Prosperity Theology represent two separate phenomena within contemporary religion, I also acknowledge the tendency to regard them as being synonymous. My research begins with an examination of the traditional African American church and pastor, and an exploration of the recent growth of megachurches within the black community. In an attempt to better understand the Prosperity Gospel, I evaluated it in comparison to the Social Gospel, discovering the similarities and differences between the two movements. Considering that there is no consensus as to how Prosperity Theology is defined, I examine the various ways in which it has been defined by African American megachurch pastors. In particular, I assess the ways in which Prosperity Theology represents an extension of the traditions of the black church and its emphasis on economic, social, and political empowerment. This dissertation compares the ministries of Dr. Creflo Dollar, Senior Pastor of Atlanta Georgia’s World Changers Church International and Bishop Joseph W. Walker, III, Senior Pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Both are regarded as proponents of Prosperity Theology, however, they advance significantly different approaches to prosperity and Prosperity Theology. An examination of the teachings of Dr. Dollar and Bishop Walker indicate that Dr. Dollar’s beliefs put him at odds with many traditionalists in the black church. In contrast, Bishop Walker’s ministry more closely resembles that of a traditional African American church. These findings are further supported by the responses of their churches’ members. The research conducted suggests that Prosperity Theology may be useful in facilitating the goals of economic, social, and political empowerment historically advocated by the black church

The Roles of Academic Genealogies

Academic genealogies play significant roles in the mathematical and physical sciences. Within this context, genealogy is defined as the tracing of one’s academic lineage backwards from an individual’s doctoral advisor, to that person’s doctoral advisor, etc. Similar genealogies may also be constructed based on an individual’s undergraduate professor or research director. We the discuss multi-roles played by an academic genealogy in the shaping of an individual’s ability to obtain “high status” professorships, secure adequate research funding, attain leadership positions in relevant professional societies and to attract quality students for research. Two examples of such a genealogy will be constructed and discussed

Unknown, Not Hidden Figures in Science: The Role of Invisible Colleges

In general, most scientists are unknown to both the scientific and non-scientific communities of educated persons. The existence of this situation has important implications for scientific progress, the construction/creation of histories of science, and relevance of science in public education. Our main goal is to examine the reasons why most scientists are unknown, why they will remain unknown, and why these conditions are consistent with the fundamental methodologies as to how scientific work is actually accomplished. We conclude that the concept of “invisible colleges” (D. J. de Solla Price, “Little Science, Big Science”; Columbia University Press, 1963) can be applied to these problems and used to provide a consistent set of valid explanations for the resolution of these issues

Definition and Discussion of Some Fundamental Concepts and Issues from the Perspective of Science

n the process of creating new scientific ad scholarly knowledge, certain concepts and issues arise. These items have general applicability; i.e. are not specifically tied to any particular field of science and often are of general value for producing insights into other areas of research and knowledge creation. We consider ten such items and provide brief and concise definitions and discussions on their relationship with and importance to science, with the emphasis on the natural sciences. We also provide reasons why they should be better known to individuals considering themselves to be educated persons

Dr Charles Henry Turner: A Pioneer in Animal Cognition and Intelligence

Charles Henry Turner (1867-1923) was the first African-American to obtain graduate degrees from the University of Cincinnati (M.S., 1892) and the third from the University of Chicago (Ph.D., 1907). From about 1893 to 1905 Turner served as Chair of the Science department of Clark College, Atlanta, Georgia. However, in 1908, he assumed a teaching position at Sumner High School and remained there until 1922. In total, he published 70 papers on invertebrates (ants, cockroaches, honeybees, sand wasps and spiders), providing experimental proof that insects can hear, distinguish sound pitch, see color and patterns, and learn through trial and error. Turner is currently considered by many to be the father of the study of animal cognition and intelligence. We examine his family and social backgrounds, his research results, and his contributions to the achievement of racial and educational equality in St. Louis, Missouri

OUT OF HIDING: HOW THE BOOK AND FILM ‘HIDDEN FIGURES’ HAVE RAISED THE VISIBILITY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN IN THE SCIENCES

The recent releases of the book and film ‘Hidden Figures’ have chronicled the contributions of African American women in the space race. Significant book sales and strong showings at the box office have resulted in an increased interest in the historic role of African Americans, particularly African American women, in America’s space program. This paper chronicles the participation of African Americans in the sciences between the 1940s and the 1960s. It also examines the impact of ‘Hidden Figures’ on the present day interest in the STEM fields by African American women

COUNTERFACTUAL HISTORIES OCCUR IN CLASSICAL PHYSICS

In a previous discussion [1], arguments were given to support the view that “counterfactual histories” exist and their occurrence is consistent with the multi-universe interpretation of quantum mechanics. Further, within this framework, it was demonstrated that for a given system, its history is unique, while its future evolution is uncertain. The purpose of the current work is to show that these features also occur in systems modeled by classical physical theories. A major consequence of either the classical or quantum formalisms is that different counterfactual histories do not communicate or interact. Several explicit examples of this phenomenon will be given. In general, counterfactual histories will exist for a system if it can be modeled by a physical theory which allows multi-outcomes in the evolution of any of its sub-systems