Week 4 - The Ideal of Positive Science

Question 1

Positive Science

Answer 1

Positive science is a view of science that emphasises observation, logic, and empirical evidence as the foundation of all knowledge.

Question 2

Core Ideas of Positive Science

Answer 2

• Knowledge comes from sense experience (what we can observe and measure)
• Scientific claims must be testable and verifiable through observation or logical analysis
• Tries to remove subjectivity, values, and metaphysics from science
• Ideal: purely objective science based on facts, not opinions or interpretations

Question 3

Critiques of Positive Science

Answer 3

Popper: Observation isn’t enough, we need falsification, not verification

Kuhn, Quine, Duhem: Science isn’t just logic and observation, it’s influenced by theories, paradigms, and social context

Hermeneutics: You can’t explain human behaviour fully without understanding meaning, intentions, and culture, not just observations