ch9

Question 1

4 ways science has a claim on superiority

Answer 1

realism, objectivity, truth, rationality

Question 2

three views on knowledge

Answer 2

Plato, Aristotle, Pyrrho (scepticism)

Question 3

4 conclusions from the Vienna Circle manifesto

Answer 3

o Two types of truth: empirical and logical
o Empirical truths make claims about the world and are established through empirical verification
o Logical truths are based on deductive logic and are influenced by linguistic conventions
o Statements not belonging to one of the categories above are meaningless

Question 4

problems with verification

Answer 4

verification is logically impossible, scientific theories are full of non-observable variables, defining the observable, non-observable may become observable, verifiable observations are no guarantee of correct understanding

Question 5

stages for Kuhn

Answer 5

pre-science, creation of a paradigm, normal science, revolution

Question 6

Pierce - 4 ways of gathering knowledge

Answer 6

scientific knowledge, the method of tenacity, the method of authority, a priori method

Question 7

problems with verifiability (2 new ones)

Answer 7

separation of theory and observation, underdetermination of theory by data

Question 8

2 problems with falsification

Answer 8

Duhem-Quine thesis, can’t make a clear distinction between 2 theories