Scientific knowledge Flashcards
Steps of the peer review process in scientific journals
-Research papers are submitted to specialized scientific
journals.
-Experts (1-5, often anonymous) read the research
paper before recommending accept, reject or revise.
-The experts typically do not redo the experiment or
study.
-They base their recommendations on how well the
authors justify their claims (and whether the
justification is original).
Belief …in the context of science and knowledge
The state of mind in which a person thinks something to be the case
- tied to an individual
- comes in degrees
- action guiding
Why define knowledge as (justified) true belief?
- If a belief is justified it does not necessarily mean it is true
- We need to be able to distinguish justified false beliefs from knowledge
Justification
- The proof, evidence or other reason that can be put forward in defense of a claim
- Claims can be more or less justified
- Scientific justification appeals to scientific values
What are the different ways of justifying method choice
- CONVENTIONAL: I choose the methods my teachers/peers choose
- CONSEQUENTIALISM: I choose the method that works best
- REASON BASED: I choose the method for which I have the best reasons
Knowledge
True, justified belief
Methodology
Investigates assessment and justification of method choice
*NOT a collection of methods
! Scientific Realism
Wikipedia:
The view that the universe described by science is real regardless of how it may be interpreted.
(Within philosophy of science, this view is often an answer to the question “how is the success of science to be explained?”)
! Does knowledge require certainty?
No, knowledge suffices as long as it is justified. But being justified doesn’t necessarily make it true
! In what way can science be viewed as an inherently social activity?
We believe something if our peers believe something. (See the peer review process..)
! Certainty
The theoretical condition in which decision making is without risk
..because the decision maker has all the information about the exact outcome of the decision, before he or she makes the decision