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Orpheus
Skeptic Friend
92 Posts |
 Posted - 03/11/2003 : 06:36:42
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Reading some of the treads here at SFN has left me with the impression that many regulars view science in very clear-cut, positivistic ways.
This is at odds with current developments in the philosophy of science which illustrate some pretty interesting things about the scientific method:
1. There is no one method, but rather a hodgepodge of techniques scientists use and discard to obtain their findings.
2. The one-to-one correspondence model of empiricism is largely faulty: scientists cannot "see" facts about the world without intervening theories about how the world works
3. The acceptance and rejection of scientific theories are greatly influenced by the social climate and what is defined by scientists of a particular tradition as "sufficient evidence".
4. Scientific theories cannot be conclusively verified, only falsified.
All-in-all I think the sphere of scientific knowledge is more complex and problematic than a "call 'em like I see 'em" attitude would suggest.
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Find your own damned answers! |
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walt fristoe
SFN Regular
USA
505 Posts |
 Posted - 03/11/2003 : 10:47:09 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Orpheus
2. The one-to-one correspondence model of empiricism is largely faulty: scientists cannot "see" facts about the world without intervening theories about how the world works
Indeed, a collection of facts is no more a science than a heap of bricks is a house. We need a framework, or 'model', with which to organize facts before we can make coherent sense of them. |
"If God chose George Bus of all the people in the world, how good could God be?"
Bill Maher |
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Orpheus
Skeptic Friend
92 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2003 : 01:13:35 [Permalink]
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| I agree, but my point was that even the most basic of observations which are generally regarded as "facts" are mediated by the theoretical convictions of the observer. |
Find your own damned answers! |
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Kil
Evil Skeptic
USA
13477 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2003 : 22:40:45 [Permalink]
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quote:
Orpheus: I agree, but my point was that even the most basic of observations which are generally regarded as "facts" are mediated by the theoretical convictions of the observer.
Well, no one said science was perfect. The fact that theories can be overturned by the introduction of new evidence and are therefor falsifiable is one of the strengths of science. The fact that science is aware of possible bias is also a strength. Peer review helps to overcome some of that.
All in all, I regard science as the best game in town for sorting out the natural (Is there any other?) world. |
Uncertainty may make you uncomfortable. Certainty makes you ridiculous.
Why not question something for a change?
Genetic Literacy Project |
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