Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Philosophy of Science > Lecture 5 > Flashcards

Lecture 5 Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

What are the choices we have in developing a new theory?

A
  1. We can choose to falsify the theory
  2. We can choose to disregard the observation contradicting the new theory
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is a pragmatic choice?

A

This is a solution to resolve conflict between theory and observation that is based on pragmatic considerations

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are quine’s premises?

A
  1. There is no fundamental difference between synthetic and analytical statements (we can only test a whole system of sentences)
  2. Every sentence within a system of knowledge can be given up to solve conflict between theory and observation.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are Duhem’s premises?

A
  1. Every hypothesis requires assumptions
  2. Question: is it the hypothesis that is falsified or the assumptions underlying it
  3. Conclusion: Never test a single hypothesis but a whole system of hypotheses that constitute a theoretical framework
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is punctuated equilibrium?

A

For most periods of time species don’t change much, in certain periods there is an event that speeds up the development of species substantially.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Name the four theories of truth?

A
  1. Correspondence theory of truth: truth of synthetic statements depends on correspondence to reality
  2. Coherence theory of truth: truth analytical statements depends on coherency to what we already know
  3. Consensus theory of truth: collectively agreed upon
  4. Pragmatic theory of truth: depends on pragmatic considerations
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are meta-theories?

A

These are theories about theories, based on ontological and epistemological assumptions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the ontological assumptions underlying metatheories?

A

These are questions about what the basic unit of analysis is. This can be viewed individualistic or holistic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is rational choice theory?

A

Rational individuals make decisions maximizing their satisfaction. This explains choices on an indvidiual level.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is an explanatory model?

A

This is a model explaining behaviour and social level outcomes based on the rational choices of individual agents..

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the assumptions of rational choice theory?

A
  1. Agents are fully self-interested
  2. Agents are perfectly rational
  3. Explanations should start from methodological individualism
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the assumptions of rationality?

A
  1. Agents have complete and consistent preference ordering
  2. Agents have all available information
  3. Agents are capable of perfectly analyzing this information and calculate the maximal outcome
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the endowment effect?

A

This is the effect that we value things more when we own them. This is based on loss aversion and a status quo bias

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is loss aversion?

A

The feeling that we experience a loss of something twice as much as a gain of the same strength.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the status quo bias?

A

This is the tendency to be more comfortable staying with the current status quo instead of deviating from it.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is parametric rationality?

A
  1. Parametric rationality: assumption that choices of others are known beforehand. Bound in agency theory
17
Q

What is strategic rationality?

A

rationality in which the rational choices of other agents are taken into account and are anticipated upon. This is bound in game theory

18
Q

What is the nash-equilibrium?

A

This is the best rational choice given your estimation of other agent’s choice. You can’t make yourself better off

19
Q

What is pareto-optimality?

A

This is a normative concept in which there is no other combination of choices that will make anyone better off without making anyone worse off.

20
Q

What is agency theory?

A

This theory deals with the relationship between the agent and the principal. The problem exists when there is a seperation between ownership and control, caused by differing interests of the agent and the principal.

21
Q

What costs are caused by agency problems?

A
  1. Monitoring costs (borne by principal)
  2. Bonding costs (borne by agent)
  3. Residual loss (born by principal)
22
Q

What are causal explanations?

A

Effect (explanandum) is explained by a cause/causes (explanas)

23
Q

What is a functional explanation?

A

Something is explained by the function it holds within a system. Can only exist if there is a causal feedback mechanism. This type of explanation is only useful in developing causal theories.

24
Q

What are epistemological questions?

A

These are questions that help to get into the head of the person (1st person perspective) and try to understand their reason (intentional explanation)

25
Q

What is organizational ecology?

A

Explanation of founding of organizational forms. The units of the analysis are population and organizational forms.

26
Q

What are the three problems of functional explanations?

A
  1. Functional explanations confuse cause and effect in event ordering leading to a disjunction
  2. Functional explanation assumes existence and regulating influence of systems
  3. Functional explanation assumes that explanas is a necessary condition.
27
Q

Why do functional explanations confuse problems and effects?

A
  1. A causal feedback mechanism can be identified, rendering the functional explanation useless.
  2. There is no causal feedback mechanism, renderring the functional explanation invalid.
28
Q

What is the problem of functional explanations assuming the existence and regulating influence of systems?

A

The issue is derived from an ontologial view: what arguments do we have for saying social systems really exist? And what evidence do we need to conclude it exists?

29
Q

Why is it a problem tat functional explanations assume that the explanas is a necessary condition?

A
  1. Problem of induction: cannot exclude similar functional explanas
  2. Equifinality might be more plausible in organizational science.
30
Q

Name four reasons why executive compensation failed?

A
  1. Behavioural assumptions were wrong (bounded rationality)
  2. Theory was not supported by empirical evidence (no pay-performance effect)
  3. Agency problem became an ideology
  4. It became a corporate governance problem.
31
Q

What is the difference betwee hermeneutics and social meaning?

A

Hermeneutics revolves around the understanding of actions at the individual level.

Social meaning revolves around understanding actoins at the holistic level.

32
Q

What is the social ontology of institutions?

A

Institutional facts are created because of our collective intentions towards them. That is what gives them meaning.

Philosophy of Science (6 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions