To Know a Fly: Four Levels (For BBA, BBA-BI, BBA-TT, BCIS Second Semester)

To Know a Fly

- Vincent G.Dethier

Literal Comprehension:

The essay talks about the scientific experiment on the discovery of something. An experiment is always based on scientific method and observation. But if an experiment is superficial, that can change into scientific crimes. In the essay, the writer talks about some of the scientific crimes.

A man makes an experiment on flea to find out whether it listens through ears or not. When the flea jumps up, then man begins to amputate the flea’s different organs. At last, he amputates the flea’s legs so that it could not jump. So, the man makes a conclusion that the flea listens through its legs.

Another scientific crime is about cause and effect. A man says that he is saved in his apartment during earthquake, and he further claims that the house got collapsed when he was pushing the window.

Finally, the text presents the extraordinary capacity of flies. This is the most fruitful experiment conducted through sharp observation. According to the writer, when flies see food, they fly around it and lower down their feet. When the food is tasty, they land on it. The conclusion is that they know the taste from their feet. This also proves that flies are more sensitive than men. With this, the writer shows that scientists should arrive at conclusion through scientific processes, experiments and observation.

Interpretation:

Through this scientific text, the writer is trying to tell us that a well-conducted scientific experiment is essential to meet the best conclusion. It also says that we should not draw conclusions observing minor things, and we should not make any hasty conclusions to understand the natures of objects. Otherwise, it harms more than it helps. Besides, it says that all living creatures have sensitivity power, imaginative power and thinking power, so we human beings should not be proud of our abilities.

Critical Thinking:

Though the text is interesting and distinctive, some unconvincing ideas are there in the text. So, we can raise some questions regarding them. The questions are:

- Do all other living creatures have more sensitive power than human beings?

- Is it possible to conduct scientific research on human beings in every condition?

- Are all the conclusions given by the writer in this text right?

Assimilation:

Before reading this text, I did not have good knowledge about scientific research and other living creatures. But after reading the text, I came to know that scientific research is necessary to meet the best conclusion. Besides, I realized that other living creatures have also sensitivity power and thinking power like human beings.