Lecture 10

Question 1

Popper’s falsification

Answer 1

• Theories are bold conjectures that can be tested by observations
• Theory-free observation is impossible but also not needed
• Induction is impossible
• Instead we use deduction: theories used to derive predictions about observations
• Known as critical rationalism

Question 2

Popper on how theories are constructed

Answer 2

They are constructed from the mind. Then predictions are derived from it. These are tested through observation.

Question 3

Th hypothetico-deductive model

Answer 3

• Start with theory
• Deduce predictions from theory
• Test predictions
• If predictions don’t come true then falsify theory
• If they do come true then corroboration

Question 4

Demarcation criterion

Answer 4

Distinguishes science from pseudoscience

Question 5

General vs conditional

Answer 5

What or who does the hypothesis pertain to?
Example: All women with blue jeans and brown hair, wear a red t-shirt
This is not as falsifiable as saying: all women wear a red t-shirt

Question 6

Precise vs imprecise

Answer 6

How precise is the hypothesis in what it predicts?
Example: All women wear a red t-shirt and blue jeans and have brown hair.
This is more precise and more falsifable than saying: all women wear a red t-shirt.

Question 7

Problems with falsification

Answer 7

• Popper cannot distinguish between well supported and less well supported theories
• Theories are at best only not yet refuted
• The Quine-Duhem thesis

Question 8

The Quine-Duhem thesis

Answer 8

• If a prediction doesn’t come true it could be because of the theory
• But it could also be something else
• Wrong measurements, instruments etc.
• Theory is never tested in isolation

Question 9

Paradigm shifts (Thomas Kuhn)

Answer 9

Theories often break with their predecessors. This is also called relativism.
Example: Newton to Einstein

Question 10

Paradigms in psychology

Answer 10

Psychology mostly only has local paradigms.
The paradigms are mostly methodological rather than substantive.

Question 11

Feyerbend’s anarchism

Answer 11

He denies the existence of methodological guidelines ensuring the progress of science.
Anything goes when doing science.

Question 12

Sophisticated falsificationism (Lakatos)

Answer 12

• Direct falsification will be very rare
• Researchers don’t give up their theories easily but will switch to a new better one
• Falsification as demarcation but not a descriptive principle

Question 13

Lakatos’ research programmes

Answer 13

• Progressive progammes: growth, new techniques, more facts
• Degenerative programmes: shrinkage, no new techniques, no increase in facts
• Normative component: a rational scientist should only do progressive research programmes and not degenerative ones.