PAAS- Week 2- Introduction to Philosophy as a science

Question 1

What is the common sense view of science?

Answer 1

Science is knowledge based on facts.
It can be contrasted with other forms of knowledge such as
- Authority
-Revelation (Personal- religious experiences)
-Superstition

Question 2

What are facts?

Who did this belief come from?

Answer 2

Careful and unbiased observers can directly access facts through the senses/observation.
Facts come before and are independent of theories.
Facts form a firm and reliable base for scientific knowledge.

Empiricists & positivists

Question 3

Are observations the same for everyone?

Answer 3

Two scientists might “observe” something different even when looking at the same thing. Trained observer will see different things to an untrained observer

Question 4

Are observations unbiased?

Answer 4

No

Question 5

For scientists- what may formulating observation statements require?

Answer 5

Substantial background knowledge or a conceptual framework to place them in.
They aren’t completely independent of theory. You need a sense of theory behind making observations.

Question 6

What is intervening used to do?

Answer 6

Allows you to tell what the relevant facts of your observation are.

Question 7

What is objectivity?

Answer 7

Publicly and independently verifiable methods- How we made these observations.

Recognising theoretical assumptions- explain the theoretical framework that you are working from.

Theory/data that are open to revision and improvement- being able to change your mind.

Free from avoidable forms of bias (confounds, cherry picking data (don’t only pick the data that fits with your own view), experimenter bias)

Question 8

not finished!