Problem 6: philosophy of science

Question 1

Popper’s ideas about knowledge

Answer 1

knowledge is
-not justified (not theory can be subject to all possible outcomes, there can always be a test that can falsify the theory)
-not true (knowledge is verisimilitude = truth likeness, it can never be 100% true)
-not belief (knowledge is not belief, but objective truth)

Question 2

Popper’s answer to what a scientific vs a pseudoscientific method is

Answer 2

there are many confirmations for pseudoscientific theories out there, therefore falsification is very important

Question 3

what influences falsifiability

Answer 3

the more specific, the more universal, predictive theories

Question 4

according to popper science begins and ends with problems, explain

Answer 4

P1 -> TS1 -> EE -> P2
starting problem -> tentative solution -> error eliminating test -> creates new problem

Question 5

popper’s criticism on positivism

Answer 5

-there is always a chance that come unconnected test might falsify the problem
-there is no way to prove that the statement is false, therefore it cannot be true
-first look at the problem in order to know what to observe

Question 6

Kuhn’s view on science

Answer 6

-criticised popper for only focusing on falsification
-looked at whether theories actually worked
-called scientists puzzle solvers (science = puzzle)
-focus on paradigms: a general idea/ consensus that is currently being accepted

Question 7

criticism on Kuhn:

Answer 7

-very vague
-had many different definitions for what a paradigm is

Question 8

phases of science

Answer 8

1 pre paradigm period:
-debates about problems and solutions
2 paradigmatic (mature science) period:
-agreements on problems and methods
-dogmatic attitude
-progress in this stage
3 revolutionary (extraordinary science):
-reaching closer to actual truth
-scientific revolutions
-gestalt switch (a new paradigm alters perceptions)

Question 9

what does Kuhn mean when he says that paradigms are incommensurable

Answer 9

paradigms do no have a joint measurability, they do not talk about equal problems therefore

Question 10

characteristics of pseudoscience

Answer 10

-belief in authority
-unrepeatable experiments
-handpicked examples
-unwillingness to test disregard of refuting information
-built-in subterfuge (if the theory is tested, the result can only confirm the theory and never disprove it)
-explanations are abandoned without replacement