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Epistemology and Science
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Context of Discovery
Refers to the initial phase in which scientific ideas are formulated, highlighting the role of creativity and serendipity in scientific inquiry.
Deductive Reasoning
Essential in hypothesis testing, where general principles are applied to predict specific outcomes that can be empirically investigated.
Realism
Asserts that scientific theories aim to describe a reality independent of human perceptions, driving the pursuit of objective truth in science.
Context of Justification
Entails the rigorous evaluation and testing of scientific hypotheses and theories, emphasizing the importance of empirical validation in science.
Observation
The act of noting and recording phenomena, which acts as the empirical groundwork for developing and testing scientific theories.
Confirmation Bias
A tendency scientists must guard against, which can lead to preferentially collecting or interpreting evidence that confirms existing beliefs or hypotheses.
Parsimony (Occam's Razor)
Instructs scientists to prefer simpler theories until complexity is necessary to explain the data, influencing model selection and theory development.
Probabilism
Acknowledges that scientific knowledge often involves estimating the likelihood of events, affecting the interpretation of data and the certainty of conclusions.
Paradigm Shift
Describes the change in fundamental frameworks within which scientific inquiries are formulated, often following a buildup of anomalies in the existing paradigm.
Positivism
Advocates for the exclusive use of empirical evidence and the scientific method in acquiring knowledge, underpinning many quantitative research approaches.
Abduction
Allows scientists to formulate hypotheses and models that best explain the available data, which can then be subjected to further testing.
Constructivism
Suggests scientific knowledge is not simply discovered, but also constructed through social and cognitive processes, influencing how scientific theories are formed.
Falsifiability
A concept integral to separating science from non-science by delineating a hypothesis that can be empirically tested and possibly refuted.
Relativism
Challenges the notion of universal scientific truths by emphasizing the socio-cultural context of knowledge claims, affecting the interpretation of scientific findings.
Anomaly
Acknowledges the presence of data that do not fit with current theories, potentially driving the development of new hypotheses and scientific revolutions.
Experimentation
Central to the scientific method, allowing for the manipulation of variables to isolate causal effects and test hypotheses.
Rationalism
Emphasizes the role of reason and intellect in understanding nature, which complements empirical data in scientific theory formation.
Corroboration
Important in assessing the strength of a hypothesis, referring to the degree to which it has survived rigorous testing, thereby acting as a measure of scientific credibility.
Underdetermination
The acknowledgment that data often can be explained by multiple theories; indicates the need for additional criteria to choose between competing hypotheses in science.
Empiricism
Informs the reliance on observational data and experimental evidence in scientific methodology.
Inductive Reasoning
Used to develop general theories from specific observations, contributing to theory generation in exploratory research.
Instrumentalism
Suggests that the value of scientific theories lies in their usefulness rather than their truth, influencing the practical application of science.
Verificationism
The principle that a proposition is only meaningful if it can be verified empirically, shaping the focus on observable, testable hypotheses in science.
Epistemic Reliability
Highlights the importance of robust and reproducible methods for gaining reliable knowledge, influencing experimental design and peer review in science.
Theory-Ladenness
Recognizes that observations are influenced by the theoretical framework of the scientists, affecting data interpretation and the acceptance of new theories.
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