Lecture 3 slides Flashcards
What is a commen sense view of science?
- Based on empirical observation,
not speculation or preconceived ideas - Describing the world as it is in itself
- Outsider’s (third-person) perspective
- Neutral, value-free
- Formulated in exact theories,
if possible using math / statistic
What are key terms for logical positivism?
- Empiricism: knowledge only from observation
- Ideal and precise language for science
- Analytic vs. synthetic statements
- Verifiability criterion
- Inductive method
What is the problem of induction theory?
The white and black swans problem
- Reasoning from individual
observations to general
conclusions is logically
invalid - So induction can never
completely support general
scientific laws and theories. - Popper: no use for induction
in science
What is Poppers scientific method?
- Science is about formulating theories
(conjectures) in such a way that they
can be falsified by empirical
observations. - Theories must then be tested as
rigorously as possible (attempted
refutations). - We accept those theories that have
survived testing (so far)
What is reallism in science?
An empirically successful theoretical construct corresponds to some real, independently existing feature of reality, that it successfully
measures.
The goal of science is to discover truths about the world as
it is in itself, including unobservable mechanisms and entities.
Successful theories accurately represent the world
What is Non-realism/ Instmentalism in science?
an empirically successful theoretical construct is just a convenient way of systematizing past observations and making successful predictions.
The goal of science is to systematize our past observations / data and to make successful predictions. Successful theories are like effective / efficient instruments.
