Lecture 3 Flashcards
What are the two interactive methods used to study our world?
The two interactive methods are Philosophy and Science.
What is the objective shared by both Philosophy and Science?
Both aim to understand and acquire knowledge about the world.
Define Philosophy
“love of wisdom,
Define Science
the pursuit “to know.”
What distinguishes the epistemologies of Philosophy and Science?
Philosophy primarily employs deductive reasoning, whereas Science primarily employs inductive reasoning.
What role does Science play in relation to Philosophy?
Science is often considered the fodder of Philosophy.
How does Science differ from Philosophy regarding the definition of values?
Science typically does not tend to define values.
What is considered the highest scientific value?
The objectivity of observation is considered the highest scientific value.
What is the highest scientific goal according to the provided information?
The highest scientific goal is the revelation (not evaluation) of knowledge.
How does Science approach its study, according to the information given?
Science employs a reductionistic process, studying parts or pieces.
What capability does Science possess regarding philosophic models?
Science has the capability to confirm or disprove philosophic models.
How is Philosophy defined as a discipline?
Philosophy is defined as the study of the laws and causes underlying reality, which leads to an understanding of its fundamental nature.
What fundamental question does Philosophy often ask?
Philosophy often asks “Why?”
What role does Philosophy play in terms of knowledge?
Philosophy judges the value or worth of knowledge.
How does Philosophy justify human actions?
Philosophy justifies the value of human actions.
How is Philosophy described in relation to Science?
Philosophy is described as the mother of Science.
What is meant by the phrase “Synthesis of knowledge into wisdom”?
It means Philosophy involves integrating knowledge to attain wisdom.
How does Philosophy interact with Science?
Philosophy progresses alongside science and raises questions to be explored by the scientific method.
What capability does Philosophy possess regarding knowledge?
Philosophy can produce value judgments about knowledge
How does scientific knowledge affect Philosophy?
Scientific knowledge can expand, challenge, redirect, or even negate philosophical ideas because Philosophy is based on what we know, and scientific knowledge continuously evolves.
What influences the questions asked in science according to the provided information?
The questions asked in science and what is done with the answers are primarily driven by our philosophic models and the values they create.
What type of reasoning does Scientific Methodology primarily employ?
primarily employs inductive reasoning.
Define induction based on the provided information.
Induction, derived from “to pull into,” involves deriving meaningful conclusions from specific experiences through comparative logic.
What is the basis for induction in Scientific Methodology?
based on accurate, measurable observations.
How is the process of induction described in terms of reasoning?
The process of induction involves reasoning from a part to a whole, from particulars to generals, or from the individual to the universal.
How is the logic of induction described in relation to direction?
The logic of induction is described as “bottom-up” or “below up” logic.
Inductive reasoning types
Informal
Formal
Formal Inductive Reasoning
(Scientific/Experimental Method):
Creates controlled experiences (experiments).
Collects specific observations (data).
Applies inductive logic (statistical analysis).
Conclusion based on data and inductive logic.
Informal Inductive Reasoning
Learns from personal observation.
Recognizes patterns of similarity.
Not formal or controlled, lacks rigor.
Steps of Inductive Reason : Scientific Method Steps
- Hypothesis:
The question being explored.
Experiment: - Controlled, formalized experience that must be well described and replicable.
- Analysis:
Statistical analysis of comparison between control and variable data. - Conclusions:
Not certain, tend to support or negate the hypothesis.
Inductive Reasoning
Strengths
*Relevance
* Conclusions always related to reality
(data-driven)
* Self-correcting
* Further observation will test prior conclusions
* Very knowledge expansive
Inductive Reasoning
Weaknesses
*Incompleteness of data - The “black swan problem”
* Inductive materialism: “If you can’t measure it, you can’t reason scientifically about it.”
* Validity of inductive logic
* Not as well formalised as deductive logic
* Uncertainty of conclusions
* May not provide basis for confident action
There are three MAJOR short comings when Inductive reasoning is solely used with living things
1.It assumes all livings things are the same 2.Comes to false conclusions
3.The whole is NOT equal to the sum of its parts
What type of reasoning is employed in Philosophic Methodology?
Deductive reasoning
Define deduction based on the provided information.
Deduction involves deriving meaningful conclusions from general principles through logical reasoning.
How is deduction described in terms of logic direction?
Deduction is characterized by “top-down” or “above down” logic.
What is the process of deduction from general principles to specific instances called?
The process of deduction involves reasoning from the general principle to the specific.
What is the basis for deduction in Philosophic Methodology?
based on assumptions accepted as true.
What is deductive reasoning?
Deductive reasoning involves the conclusion necessarily following from a full understanding of given data or proposition.
What is a premise in deductive reasoning?
A premise in deductive reasoning is a proposition upon which an argument is based, including reasons and evidence for a conclusion.
Explain a syllogism.
A syllogism is an argument consisting of two premises (major and minor) and a logical conclusion drawn from them.
Steps in a syllogism include:
- Major Premise: an unproven assumption, typically a broad topic.
- Minor Premise: another assumption or fact within the scope of the major premise.
- Logical Reasoning: the art of necessarily correct reasoning.
4.Conclusion: a new understanding deduced from prior knowledge (premises).
Example
All mammals are warm blooded [major premise].
Whales are mammals [minor premise]. Therefore, all whales are warm blooded [conclusion].
All books from that store are new. These books are from that store. Therefore, these books are new.
All humans have the capacity to heal themselves. You are a human being. You have the capacity to heal yourself.
What are the strengths of deductive reasoning?
Deductive reasoning can produce logically valid, true conclusions that extend beyond the limits of science.
It allows us to reason beyond our direct experience, dealing with immeasurable, immaterial, subjective, and unique concepts.
It provides certainty or confidence in our conclusions, influencing our willingness to act.
What are the weaknesses of deductive reasoning?
The quality of premises is crucial; false premises lead to uncertain conclusions.
The validity of logic must be ensured; errors can result in false conclusions from true premises or true conclusions from false premises (syllogistic fallacy).
Deductive reasoning is not self-testing; conclusions require testing against reality through induction.
Clear Thinking Foundation:
Intellectual discipline and sound premises based on observed facts.
Two Essential Processes:
Induction: Drawing general conclusions from specific examples.
Deduction: Applying general principles to solve specific problems.
Avoiding Logical Contradictions:
Thinking in an integrated way, synthesizing various perspectives and ideas.
