Unit 1: Introduction Flashcards
What are empirical methods based on?
Experience.
What are non-empirical methods?
Ways of knowing that are not based on eperience.
What are 4 examples of non-empirical ways of knowing?
Authority, logic, intuition, common sense.
What is authority?
A non-empirical method where you believe something just because a trusted person or institution told you.
What is logic?
A non-empirical method where you draw conclusions based on facts.
What is intuition?
Spontaneous, instinctive sense, not based on reasoned steps.
What is common sense?
Practical intelligence shared by a large group of people.
What is science?
An empirical way of knowing based on objective observation.
What is the goal of science?
To understand the world by looking for causes.
What is the concept of realism in science?
One of the 5 assumptions of science - the assumption that the world is real.
What is rationality?
One of the 5 working assumptions of science - that the world is understandable using rational, logical thought.
What is regularity?
One of the 5 working assumptions of science - that the world follows laws consistently.
What is discoverability?
One of the 5 working assumptions of science - that it’s possible to find out how the world works.
What is determinism?
One of the 5 working assumptions of science - that every event has a cause (causability).
What are the 7 characteristics of science?
- Empiricism
- Objectivity
- Self-correcting
- Progressive
- Tentative
- Parsimonious
- Concerned with theory
What is the concept of parsimony in science?
The simplest explanation is the one used.
What are the 5 working assumptions of science?
- Realism
- The world is understandable using rational, logical thought
- Regularity
- Discoverability
- Determinism/causability
What are the 3 criteria for establishing a cause-effect relationship?
- Temporal precedence - cause has to come before the event
- Co-variation - when cause happens, effect happens
- Elimination of alternative explanations
How do common sense and science differ?
Common sense is absent of theory. Only has practical implications and therefore cannot predict new knowledge.
What are two limitations of common sense?
- Varies across time and space - common sense to one person may not be to another.
- It can’t predict what will and won’t work - no understanding of its limitations.
When is logic not a good way of knowing?
When it assumes something to be true that is not, then a statement can be logically valid but still not true.
