Chapter 5 - 7 Flashcards
Define falsification in the context of scientific
Experiment or observation that shows a theory to be false.
A falsified theory? > incorrect based on empirical evidence.
What is the criterion for a theory to be considered falsifiable?
When it is shown false through experimentation or observation.
What is a genuine scientific theory according to Popper?
A falsifiable theory.
Only theories that can be potentially proven false through empirical evidence are considered genuine scientific theories.
What is the core idea of scientific creativity in Popper’s falsificationism?
being falsifiable is the only limit on the theories that scientists can come up with.
Popper emphasizes that scientific theories do not require inductive support and encourages the formulation of bold hypotheses that can be rigorously tested.
What is the purpose of scientific observations and experiments according to Popper
is not to find evidence for theories but to subject theories to tests. Scientists actively seek falsifications and design experiments that have the potential to disprove or reject hypotheses.
Explain the concept of deduction in Popper’s falsificationism
Popper suggests that the logic of falsification is deductive, not inductive. Scientists use deductive reasoning to evaluate theories. If a theory is true, specific observations or experimental results must be expected. If these expected observations are not observed, the theory can be concluded to be false.
According to Popper, can scientists claim that a theory is true or likely to be true?
No, Popper argues that scientists never conclude that a theory is true or likely to be true. Scientists only recognize two classes of theories:
- those that have been falsified and are known to be false
-those that have not been falsified yet, and therefore could be either true or false.
How does Popper distinguish between science and pseudo-science in terms of differentiating criteria?
He suggests that genuine science involves the use of falsifiable theories that are taken seriously, while pseudo-science relies on theories that are not effectively testable or refutable.
Give examples of pseudo-science according to Popper.
astrology, Freudian psychology, and Marxist theories of history.
- rely on confirmations without seeking falsifications and lack testing
What is the normative component of science?
A normative statement expresses an evaluation, saying that something is good or bad, better or worse, relative to some standard or alternative.
Example: Popper
vaststellen wat de maatstaven van goede wetenschap zijn (bijvoorbeeld
objectiviteit, controleerbaarheid)
What is the descriptive component of science?
The descriptive component of science examines the historical and contextual aspects of scientific development.
> how the world is without saying whether that’s good or bad.
Example: Kuhn
beschrijft methoden of stijlen van redeneren die in de wetenschappelijke praktijk een rol spelen of hebben gespeeld; w.f. moet historisch adequaat zijn.
How are the rules of science taught traditionally?
The traditional approach to teaching science involves instructing students in the rules of science.
What are the major problems with teaching the rules of science?
The major problems are identifying the rules of science and their limited applicability in different scientific situations.
What does Kuhn propose as an alternative to teaching the rules of science?
Kuhn suggests that science is taught through exemplars
What is an Exemplar?
Exemplars are examples that serve as models of good science
According to Kuhn, how do we learn something new in science?
When learning something new, we compare it to what we already know and mentally evaluate its similarity or fit within the existing framework.
What is a paradigm according to Kuhn?
A paradigm is a set of concepts, theories, methods, problems, and solutions that are widely accepted by scientists in a particular community
What are the two characteristics of a paradigm?
are the widespread agreement among scientists and the guidance it provides for further research
What is normal science? (Kuhn)
Phase where scientists solve puzzles within the framework to established paradigm.
What are anomalies in science?
Anomalies are problems or observations that challenge the existing paradigm and resist solution.
What happens during a period of crisis in science?
A period of crisis occurs when there are many anomalies and few successes, leading scientists to become more critical and open to new ways of thinking.
What is a scientific revolution?
A scientific revolution occurs when a new paradigm becomes dominant, leading to a major shift in scientific thinking and practice.
How is Kuhn’s view of scientific progress different from Popper’s?
Kuhn’s view suggests that scientific progress involves paradigm shifts and changes in scientific method over time, while Popper’s view emphasizes falsification and critical testing of theories.
What is incommensurability?
Incommensurability refers to the idea that scientific paradigms are fundamentally different and cannot be compared or translated into each other’s terms.
How does incommensurability impact scientific progress?
Incommensurability challenges the notion of linear scientific progress and raises questions about recognizing and evaluating earlier paradigms.
What is the basic idea of an analogy?
if two things are similar in some respects, they might be similar in other respects as well.
How does analogy help researchers?
Analogy helps researchers to discover similarities and identities between domains, generalize over and unify distinct domains, and create and extend scientific concepts.
What are the four conceptual elements needed for an analogy?
The four conceptual elements needed for an analogy are the source domain, target domain, mapping, and relations.
What is the source domain in an analogy?
The source domain is the domain of phenomena that supplies the terms of the analogy and is typically more familiar to us.
What is the target domain in an analogy?
The target domain is the domain of phenomena to which we apply the analogy and is typically less familiar to us.
What is mapping in an analogy?
Mapping is a set of correspondences between terms in the source and terms in the target domain that establishes a one-to-one correspondence.
What is the function of relations in an analogy?
causal or structural claims that remain invariant under mapping.
How did classical social science understand societies by analogy?
Classical social science understood societies by analogy with organisms. Herbert Spencer and Emile Durkheim, among others, interpreted society in terms of the functions of its constituent elements. They saw society as analogous to an organism.
