" And that would be your philosophy."
No, it is a fact, not a philosophy.
Every intelligent action follows an OODA loop. Observation, orientation, decision, action are the steps in the loop in the order in which they occur. The loop topology exists, because the action is subsequently followed by observation. Consciousness and intelligent thought consists of an arbitrary size finite series of these loops. Note one can always exit to return to observation. The entry point though, is always at observation. At all times the rules of logic apply. IOWs this is a rational process. The irrational is arbitrary and isn't worth pondering.
The scientific method is a series of OODA loops. The first stage in the scientific method is to observe. The second is to orient on the observation. That means to ponder it. One may conclude various things about the observation after a hypothetical list of ?s. The sum of the answers to the questions and the solution(s) are the hypothesis. The action is testing the hypothesis. Of course I've compacted a very large number of OODA loops in there. The reason I did that, is to illustrate that the topology of a rational process is and scales as a loop.
In order for the method to be scientific. It must be universally applicable to any intelligent being. For that to happen. The observables must actually be observable AND not be a function of, and depend on the observer. Also, the hypothesis must be testable and be at all times(tests) consistent with the observations. That includes testing for predictions.
"Where did it come from?"
Rational thought.
"How do we know it's a good method for getting to the truth?
It's logically complete in that it applies to any and all phenomena.
" Before there was a "scientific method" didn't people attempt to get to the truth?"
Yes.
"Weren't they applying rational thought to the best of their abilities?"
It depends.
" What was wrong about their approach?"
If their was a failure, it was do to virtual failure to use the scientific method, or bad logic-which is the same.
"Scientific methods have evolved over time -- why? What were the comparative strengths and weaknesses of the different methods? "
There's only one. See above.
" What is "true knowledge"."
Knowledge is a belief. A belief is a component of a belief system. If the belief system is rational, then the beliefs collected by that belief system will be true, or false as tagged by that system. In general a scientific belief must be tagged and weighted using the scientific method.
" What is the "real world"?"
The sum of all things observable.
"How do you know that?"
What is, is and can be seen and understood. Else, if it can't be seen after looking for it, it's impossible to logically attach any value to it. For all practical purposes, outside of fiction, it doesn't exist.
" You are purporting to speak for "science"."
Yes.
"if you are going to be an effective defender of science; you first have to really understand it.
Anyone can always pose a question and I will answer it. If it is not in line with reality, then anyone is free to point that out.
" Gaining that understanding means delving into the philosophy of science."
Gaining knowledge and understanding of science can only be found within science.