Demarcation of science: Falsificationism

Question 1

Falsification

Answer 1

A single statement cannot prove anything right but it can prove something general wrong

Question 2

Deduction/valid argument

Answer 2

The truth of the premises follow the truth of the conclusion

Question 3

Singular statements

Answer 3

Particular statements

Question 4

Universal statements

Answer 4

Hypotheses or theories

Question 5

Problem of induction

Answer 5

Even though you make many observations you cannot be sure that it is right e.g. all ravens are black

Question 6

Verisimilitude

Answer 6

The appearance of being true or real

Question 7

Modus tollens

Answer 7

Single observation to discarding something general
If T then O, not-O is true ergo not-T is true

Question 8

Modus ponens

Answer 8

You go from a general case and if that general case is fulfilled the single case is fulfilled as well
If T then O, T is true ergo O is true

Question 9

Hume: Problem of induction

Answer 9

The problem of induction questions our reasons for believing that the future will resemble the past

Question 10

Entailed observations

Answer 10

T_1→O_1
E.g. If it’s raining, the streets are wet

Question 11

Non-observations

Answer 11

¬O

Question 12

Synthetic statement

Answer 12

Statements which are true (or false) by the way they relate to the world

Question 13

2 kinds of universal synthetic statements

Answer 13

1. Strictly universal
   
   • Theories or natural laws
   • All statements i.e. universal assertion about an unlimited number of individuals
2. Numerically universal
   
   • Statements that refer only to a finite class of specific elements within a finite individual (or particular) spatio-temporal region

Question 14

Strictly/purely existential statements

Answer 14

“Weaker” statements such as ‘there are black ravens’. Cannot be falsified

Question 15

Axiom

Answer 15

A statement that is taken to be true, to serve as a premise or starting point for further reasoning and arguments. Should be sufficient and necessary for the deduction of all statements belonging to the theory which is to be axiomatized

Question 16

Reduction sentence

Answer 16

“if —, then …”

Question 17

Popper’s demarcation problem

Answer 17

The problem of finding a criterion which would enable us to distinguish between the empirical sciences on the one hand, and mathematics and logic as well as ‘metaphysical’ systems on the other, I call the problem of demarcation

Question 18

Popper’s principle of demarcation

Answer 18

It must be possible for an empirical scientific system to be refuted by experience

Question 19

Scientific practice according to Popper (the normative view)

Answer 19

1. State a theory, T
2. Operationalise those theories, i.e. make predictions, T –> O
3. Do your best to falsify T, i.e. try as hard as you can to find
   So we can’t confirm T, but we can corroborate T by trying our best to falsify it T→O