William Heathcote Solutions for Chapter: Evidence, Exercise 1: Exercise 1

A popular question of interest in the 1870s was whether horses ever had all four hooves off the ground at the same time when running. Artists often painted horses with their front legs pointing forwards and their rear legs backwards, but no-one knew if this actually happened. Photographer Eadweard Muybridge decided to gather evidence to answer this question by setting up a  series of cameras that were triggered by a thread as a  galloping horse passed. The resulting images show that all four of the horse's hooves do leave the ground, but only when the hooves are underneath its body, not outstretched as the artists had been depicting. The evidence caused artists to change the way in which they drew horses.

Why is photographic evidence compelling? 

DNA traces left at the scene of a crime can provide evidence in a trial. What does the DNA evidence actually prove? 

The giant squid has been the subject of myth for thousands of years, yet almost nothing was known about it as the only evidence of its existence was from dead specimens washed up on the shore or fragments found in the stomachs of sperm whales. The first observation of live animals did not occur until the beginning of the $21st$century.

Was it necessary to see a live animal in order to prove its existence?

The possibility of climate change is a major threat to the human race. Many people believe that climate change is caused by humans; however, providing conclusive evidence that can persuade all scientists and politicians alike has proven difficult, and so the issue remains controversial.

Why might scientists and politicians be persuaded by different forms of evidence?