Lecture 4

Question 1

What are the problems of logical positivsm?

Answer 1

1. Theoretical concepts
2. Problem of induction

Question 2

What is the pragmatic concession for problem 1?

Answer 2

Allow theoretical concepts in system of knowledge if:
1. Concepts explain something in the facts that cannot be determined through observation alone
2. Use of these concepts leads to development of new knowledge (new hypotheses) that can be tested

Question 3

How can problem 2 of logical positivsm be solved (Induction logic)

Answer 3

This can be solved by allowing induction logic in the development of scientific knowledge

Question 4

Describe the model of the empirical cycle (AKA the dynamic hypothetical-deductive method)

Answer 4

1. Theory can lead to the development of new hypotheses
2. Through deduction these hypotheses can be reduced to observations
3. These observations can through generalizations (induction) be grouped into empirical laws.
4. Empirical laws can lead to the development of new theories

Question 5

What is the search light theory?

Answer 5

Concepts can guide us in what we should look for and influence our reporting of what we see. Therefore, theory is embedded in observational instruments

Question 6

What is the view of popper on the problem of induction?

Answer 6

1. Degree of confirmation will approach zero
2. Striving for the highest truth-likeliness will cause bad results
3. Induction is wrong in principal

Question 7

What is the degree of confirmation?

Answer 7

Degree of confirmation = Number of observed cases of X / All possible cases of X

Question 8

Why should one not look for confirmation?

Answer 8

In trying to find confirmation, statements with the least empirical content are generally more likely to be true

Question 9

What are the components of Popper’s critical rationalism?

Answer 9

1. Rationalist element: use active thinking to develop theories with the maximal empirical content
2. Critical element: empirically test those theories

Question 10

What is the Quine-Duhem Thesis?

Answer 10

This thesis states that we can never confirm theories, but we can also not ever falsify it.

Question 11

What is the pragmatic consideration that boiled down from the Quine-Duhem thesis?

Answer 11

The pragmatic consideration is that we have two options to end conflict between theory and observation:
1. We can assume the definition (theory) is false
2. Observation is false

Question 12

What was Duhem’s conclusion?

Answer 12

Never test a single hypothesis but a system of hypotheses that work together to form a theoretical conceptual framework