Theories of Science Flashcards
Lynch
Studied scientists experimenting on lab rats - more influenced by their existing theories than expected
When anomalies occurred - scientists considered them errors, rather than seeing them as evidence towards a new theory
Traditional view of science
Science is objective - the science is neutral
Evidence-based - no preconceived ideas
Ideas which are tested and proved wrong are rejected, and more accurate ideas replace them
Polanyi
Science as a belief system like religion, made up of three factors:
- a circularity of beliefs
- supporting explanations given for difficult situations
- no alternative belief systems are tolerated
Circularity of beliefs
Each idea within the belief system is explained in relation to others. If one is challenged or fails, it is defended by reference to another, to avoid changing the belief system
Supporting explanations given for difficult situations
If any evidence is shown to contradict the belief, there will be a reason to explain it (lynch)
No alternative belief systems can be tolerated
E.g. a sweeping rejection of religion
Sociology as a science
Positivists believe that sociology is scientific
It consists of gathering information, classifying data, and drawing conclusions about the social laws which govern society
Popper
Scientists should use the deductive approach and falsification
He claimed that positivists were wrong in their belief that theories could be proved to be true
There are no permanent social laws governing human - any law could be falsified
Popper - swans
‘All swans are white’ - could be proved thousands of times until you encounter a black swan
Popper - aim of science
To constantly strive to falsify theories
This falsification of theories distinguishes science from religion
Gomm
The theories scientists produce are partly a product of their social context, so tend to prove rather than falsify their theories
Gomm on Darwin
His theory on natural selection wasn’t supported by all of the evidence
He therefore missed an opportunity to falsify aspects of his theories
The ‘survival of the fittest’ theory links with Victorian capitalist ideology, placing science in its social context
Kuhn
Scientists will tend to work within the paradigm (framework of accepted ideas) and so would seek evidence to support it
This occurs until significant anomalies trigger a paradigm shift, resulting in a new science paradigm and the process begins again
