Untitled Flashcards

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problem of demarcation

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problem of distinguishing science from non-science

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logical positivism

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only statements that are verifiable through direct observation/logical proof are meaningful in conveying truth value

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meaningful statements has definitions that are:

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1. 1. true
   2. verifiable

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operational definition

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statement that defines the meaning of a concept in terms of the precise procedures used to determine its presence and quantity

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inductive reasoning

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inferring universal rules based on particular (and repeated) observations

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sam the swan is white
george the swan is white
fred the swan is white
...........................................................
emma the swan is white

can it be concluded that all swans are white?

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no, as the conc is probably -- not guaranteed to be true. is plausible, and it just takes one black swan to prove the theory wrong

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falsifiability

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we may be wrong in anything we believe

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what is the aim of science?

a) to preserve doctrine (a set of beliefs)
b) to improve it

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the aim of science is to improve a set of beliefs

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looking for only verifications is unsound, so what makes your theory good?

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your theory is only good if ur willing to let people criticise/refute your work

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truthlikeness (versimilitude)

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which theory/model most closely represents reality