Philosophy-7

Question 1

Problematic of Experimental Sciences

Answer 1

What is the most important stage in experimental Sciences?
Should priority in studying natural phenomenon be given to observation or hypotheses?

Question 2

Sciences categorization by scientists of methodology

Answer 2

3 seperate titles:
●Mathematical (deals with abstract quantities, shapes, symbols.. and relies on deduction and abstract reasoning).

●Natural (study concrete natural phenomena and rely on induction and experimental methods: physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy)—> Experimental Sciences.

●Humanitarian Sciences.

Question 3

Evolution of humankind’s search for knowledge

Answer 3

Magic and superstitions—>

philosophical and metaphysical—>

raising questions on obeserved phenomena, formulating hypotheses to suggest possible answers, applying experiments, drawing conclusion, and lastly seeking theories that explain these phenomena.

Question 4

The Experimental Method

Answer 4

3 stages:

observation, hypothesis, experiment

These stages might be successive or might overlap.

Question 5

Observation

Answer 5

Cornerstone and first step of the experimental method: watching through eyes or special instruments.
This scientific observation is different from casual observation because it is not random (the scientist inquires further, like when Newton asked why the apple fell).

Question 6

Empiricists’ perspective on observation

Answer 6

Consider all knowledge is gained through senses–> to explain natural phenomena, we observe through senses and instruments, then nature will reveal its relations and laws to us.

Question 7

Precise scientific observation

Answer 7

Important to not be haphazard, should be observes with quantitative procedures and measuring tools (scale, telescope, microscope..)–> leads to objective results and the sensory-perceived qualitative data become recorded numbers.

Question 8

Scientific attitude

Answer 8

An scientist should be free from all prejudice. His performance is affected by his ability to determine the controversial facts.

Question 9

Empiricists VS Intellectualists

Answer 9

While intellectualists believed in the role of the mind in imposing laws of Sciences, Empiricists only gave credit to our solitary observation and that natural laws reveal themselves to us unprovoked.

Question 10

Experiments

Answer 10

Proves the validity of any theory or hypothesis (confirms or refutes), otherwise it remains a useless/imaginary attempt with no objective.

Question 11

Bachelard’s theory

Answer 11

Nowadays, technological progress has enhanced observations–>hence, the history of every science is the history of its tools.

Question 12

Criticism of the Empiricists’ understanding of observation

Answer 12

May be criticized for underestimating the role of rational reasoning in the process of the scientific method.
Observation hence cannot be scientific if it’s not directed at answering a rational problematic question and hypothesis, a scientist should use his mind, intuition, creative imagination… to discover the laws of nature.

Question 13

The Hypothesis

Answer 13

A hypothesis is a temporary and tentative answer to an inquiry, it is accepted with the intention of being subject to experience.

It is the starting point of the work of the mind–> directs towards possible solutions to the observes problem by being a rational relation made by the scientist to be the voice of reason.

Question 14

Guidelines for posing a hypothesis

Answer 14

Should be clearly stated and testable, the knowledgeable scientist formulates several rational hypotheses, anticipating many possible reasons–>he then chooses what is proven and confirmed.

Question 15

Mathematics’ diversion

Answer 15

Although Mathematics may have started as a sensible answer to practical needs, it’s branches have taken a clear diversion towards greater abstraction, such as the branch of geometry.

Question 16

Criticism on Rationalist’s perspective

Answer 16

May be criticized for ignoring the importance of the senses which act as gateways to knowledge from the external world—>from there, the inspiration he gains to form mathematical nitions and postulates.
(Even the abstraction of Mathematics will not have any beneficial value if not applied for the progress of humanity).

Question 17

Conclusion

Answer 17

Both these claims (Empirical & rational) are difficult to deny or defend.

Classical mathematicians are directed towards considering geometry a logical structure. Poincaré wrote:”Geometrical laws had never been visualization of concrete facts; they are expressions which are agreed-upon concepts, such as the point, the straight line and the parallel line…”

In spite of the origin of mathematical notions, they are still practical and technical entities—> mathematical give Sciences and relations a higher certitude, and gain value from their utilitarian use in all domains of life.