Theoretical Progress

Question 1

Demarcation Criteria Defining Science

Answer 1

Inductive statement regarded as scientific only if verified true or false by objective observation.

Question 2

Problems with Verification

Answer 2

Inductive problem, unobservable facts, subjective observation.

Question 3

Popper.

Answer 3

Falsification instead of verification critical to scientific progress. Only falsifiable if rules out a range of outcomes or there are inconsistent observations with theory.

Question 4

Degree of Falsification.

Answer 4

The more falsifiable a theory, the higher its scientific status. The more specific a statement, the more prone to falsification.

Question 5

Criteria for Theory.

Answer 5

Scope (wide-ranging claims), Precision (more falsifiable), Parsimony, Increasing Falsifiability, Fruitfulness.

Question 6

Problem with Falsification.

Answer 6

Counterintuitive way of thinking. We tend to confirm rather than dispute evidence (e.g. Wason).

Question 7

Kuhn.

Answer 7

Introduced scientific paradigm: set of common views of what the discipline is about and how problems should be investigated.

Question 8

Structure of Scientific Revolution.

Answer 8

Pre-Science (unorganised facts to explain small scale phenomena). Normal Science (share paradigms and attempt to falsify the theory). Revolution (confidence in paradigm decreases, crisis, revolution and shift).