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119 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Analytic Propositions |
-deducible from definitions -Cannot contradict the results of experiments or observations - Necessarily hold in all possible worlds;the opposite is inconceivable |
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Synthetic Propositions |
-Not deducible from definitions -Can contradict the results of experiments or observations - Do not necessarily hold in all possible worlds; opposite is conceivable |
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Is there absolute knowledge? |
Yes with analytic propositions, No with synthetic propositions |
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synthetic proposition absolute certainty problem #1 |
Sensations : We can not trust what we perceive |
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synthetic proposition absolute certainty problem #2 |
Induction: Our experience is limited. No matter how many confirming instances are observed; inductive generalizations remain fallible |
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synthetic proposition absolute certainty problem #3 |
Theory-Ladenness: The results of experiments and observations are shaped by our accepted theories. Our theories could be wrong, making theories based off wrong ones also wrong |
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Fallibilism |
Synthetic propositions can not be infallible. Empirical knowledge can be absolutely certain |
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Infallibilism |
Synthetic propositions can be infallible. Empirical knowledge can be absolutely certain |
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Hypothetico-deductive method |
A hypothesis is allowed to introduce unobservable entities provided that it predicts something novel, hitherto unobserved, and some of these novel predictions are confirmed. Otherwise accuracy and precision are sufficient |
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HD Method Assumptions |
-Complexity -Post hoc explanations |
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Post hoc explanations |
Any phenomenon can be given many different post hoc explanations which are equally precise |
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Complexity |
The world as it appears in observations is a product of some more fundamental inner mechanism |
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Aristotelian-Medieval Method |
- it grasps the nature of a thing through intuition or -it is deduced from general intuitive propositions |
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AM Method Assumptions |
-Nature of things -Intuition grasps nature |
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Intuition Grasps Nature |
The Nature of a thing can be grasped intuitively by an experienced person |
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Nature of things |
A thing has its nature, an indispensable quality that makes a thing what it is |
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Is there an unchangeable method of Science? |
Yes- Static Method Thesis (False) No- Dynamic Method Thesis (True, proven through history) |
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Can there be a general theory of scientific change? |
Yes- Generalism No- Particularism |
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Generalism |
There can be a general theory of scientific change - All cases of scientific change seem to obey certain general laws - Generalism is not believed because nothing in science is immune to change, even the laws of change |
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Particularism |
There can be no general theory of scientific change - There is no universal and fixed method of science |
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4 Laws of Scientific Change |
1- Scientific Inertia 2- Theory Acceptance 3- Method Employment 0- Compatibility |
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1st Law of Scientific Change |
Scientific Inertia: An element of the mosaic maintains its state in the mosaic unless replaced by some other elements |
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2nd Law of Scientific Change |
Theory Acceptance: In order to become accepted into the mosaic, a theory is assessed by the method actually employed at the time |
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3rd Law of Scientific Change |
Method Employment: A method becomes employed only when it is deducible from other employed methods and accepted theories of the time |
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0th Law of Scientific Change |
Compatibility: At any moment of time the elements of the scientific mosaic are compatible with each other (any two theories or methods are compatible with each other within the mosaic) |
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Method |
A set of criteria for employment in theory evaluation -Demarcation, Acceptance, Compatibility |
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Demarcation Criteria |
Criteria for determining whether a theory is scientific or unscientific |
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Acceptance Criteria |
Criteria for determining whether a theory is acceptable or unacceptable |
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Compatibility Criteria |
Criteria for determining whether two theories are compatible or incompatible |
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Current Demarcation Criteria |
An empirical theory is scientific if: - it explains, by and large, the known facts of its domain and - it is testable(falsifiable) at least in principle (should say some instances are impossible) |
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Aristotelian Demarcation Criteria |
In empirical science, a theory is scientific if it attempts to uncover the nature of things |
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Current Compatibility Criteria |
Contradictory propositions cannot both be true at the same time, but they can both be quasi true (truth like) -theories can contradict each other EX: Quantum physics and general relativity |
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Theory Rejection Theorem |
A theory becomes rejected only when other theories that are incompatible with the theory become accepted |
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Contextual Appraisal Theorem |
Theory assessment is an appraisal of a proposed modification of the mosaic by the method of the time |
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Mosaic Split Theorem |
When two incompatible theories meet the requirements of the method, the mosaic splits in two |
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Do our best scientific theories correctly describe the nature of the external (mind-independent) world? |
Yes- Scientific Realism No- Scientific Anti-Realism |
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Scientific Realism |
Our best scientific theories correctly describe the nature of the mind-independent world - we can both use theories in practical applications and accept them as best descriptions of the external world |
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Structural Realism |
Although our theories about the natures of unobservable entities can be false, our knowledge of the relations between them is true (Scientific Realism) |
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Entity Realism |
Our knowledge about unobservable entities is true, although our theories concerning relations between these entities can be false (Scientific Realism) |
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Selective Scientific Realism |
Although strictly speaking all (even our best) theories are false, some aspects of our best theories are true (Scientific Realism) - This is False because it supports infallibilism |
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Scientific Anti-Realism |
We do not know whether our theories correctly describe the nature of the mind-independent world - We should not accept theories, but should only use them in practical applications, for theories are nothing more than useful tools |
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Does Science actually progress towards the truth? |
Yes- Progress Thesis No- No-Progress Thesis |
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Progress Thesis |
Science progresses toward truth i.e. scientific theories provide increasinly correct descriptions of the external world (believed because of No-Miracles argument) |
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No-Progress Thesis |
we can not know whether science progressed towards truth i.e. whether some descriptions are closer to truth than others |
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No-Miracles Argument |
Since our theories become increasingly accurate and precise in their predictions, this can only indicate that we gradually uncover the inner structure of the world if our theories had been far from the truth, their empirical success would have been a miracle |
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Empirical Success of Science (No-Miracles) |
Science has been empirically successful; predictions of our theories become increasingly precise and accurate |
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Reality affects phenomena (No-Miracle) |
The world of phenomena (the world of experiments and observations) is somehow affected by the external world |
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Pessimistic Induction Argument |
Ontological "mistakes" and progress led to the idea that we aren't making any progress because we are essentially restarting our mosaic everytime and not getting any further this is wrong because it assumes that past ontologies are absolutely wrong which implies infallibilism |
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Ontological "Mistakes" (Pessimistic Induction) |
ontologies of past theories are usually considered mistaken from the perspective of later theories |
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Progress |
a process of acquiring increasingly correct descriptions of the world |
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Aristotelian-Medieval Mosaic |
- Natural Philosophy (Physics) - Humorist Physiology - Astrology - Cosmology - Theology - Metaphysics - Mathematics - Natural History - Optics - Method: Aristotelian-Medieval Method |
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Four elements (A-physics) |
Air, Fire, Earth, Water |
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Law of Natural Motion (A-physics) |
All elements in their natural state tend to reach their natural positions and to remain there - heavy tend toward the centre of the universe - light tend towards the periphery of the terrestrial region |
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Transformability (A-physics) |
Elements can transform to one another Ex: water when heated becomes air |
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Four bodily fluids (humorist) |
Blood, Phlegm, Yellow Bile, Black Bile Based off of the four elements |
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Temper/Temperament (Humorist) |
A specific balance of four humors peculiar to the individual sanguine - mainly blood phlegmatic - mainly phlegm melancholic - mainly Black Bile Choleric - mainly Yellow Bile |
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Terrestrial region (cosmology) |
The earth - everything here is made of the four elements |
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Celestial region (cosmology) |
Planets and stars revolving earth -everything here is made of aether |
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Normal Motion - Aether (Cosmology) |
Element aether tends to move in circles around the centre of the universe |
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What led to the possibility of Astrology |
The celestial region influences the terrestrial region |
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Zodiac |
belt in the sky in which all apparent paths of planets are within - The Zodiac is divided into 12 30degree signs (12 because of the lunar months) - Each sign is devoted to an element - Each sign's element determines your humor |
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Heavens Determine Temper |
An individual's temper is determined by the specific placement of the planets at the moment of the individual's birth |
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Astrology for Physicians |
Knowledge of astrology is essential for identifying an individual's temper and, thus, for efficient treatment |
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Natural Thing |
a thing that is not produced artificially and, thus, has its inner source of change |
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Artificial Thing |
A thing that is produced artificially and, thus, has its inner source of change |
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Natural VS Artificial |
There is a strict distinction between natural and artificial - between things with their inner source of change |
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Unnatural Experiments |
In experiments, a thing does not behave in accord with it's nature |
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No Experiments Requirement |
If a theory about the nature of a thing relies in any way on experiments, it is unacceptable. The nature is to be studied through observations only |
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Quantitative VS Qualitative |
There is a strict distinction between qualitative and quantitative changes |
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Mathematics: Limited application |
Mathematics is inapplicable to instances of qualitative change - False by modern views |
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Hylomorphism (metaphysics) |
Every compound can be analytically decomposed into its form and matter |
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Teleology (metaphysics) |
All things tend towards certain intrinsic or extrinsic goals |
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Pluralism (metaphysics) |
There are many substances (types of things), each with its own substantial form |
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Cartesian Mosaic |
- Natural Philosophy (physics) - Optics - Mechanistic Physiology - Mechanistic Geology - Mechanistic Cosmology - Theology - Metaphysics - Mathematics - Mechanistic Biology - Method: Hypothetico-Deductive Method |
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Descartes metaphysics |
I doubt, therefore i think, therefore i exist Thus, the existence of my mind is beyond any doubt |
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What theories led to the proof of matter's existence? |
God's Benevolence -> Clear/distinct ideas are true -> matter exists if god is good then he would not deceive my perception therefore what i perceive must be true therefore matter does exist |
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Dualism |
There are 2 substances - extended matter and thinking (mind) |
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what is matter in the Cartesian views? |
Matter is extension there are no gaps of no matter |
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Mechanicism |
Material objects are composed of bits of interacting matter - replaced Hylomorphism |
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Mechanical Matter |
Matter is an extended substance interacting through collisions |
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Action by Contact |
Changes in material objects can result only from actual contact -replaced Teleology |
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What was the belief after the Aristotelians on Natural VS Artificial? |
No Natural/Artificial Distinction: All things obey the same laws; there is no strict distinction between natural and artificial |
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Experimental Method |
When assessing a theory, it is acceptable to rely on the results of both observations and experiments |
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Qualitative VS Quantitative (Cartesian, or After Aristotelian) |
All instances of qualitative change in material things are essentially quantitative, for everything is only a system of moving material particles; Math is universal |
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Descarte's 1st Law (physics) |
Every part of matter maintains its state unless a collision with another part changes the state |
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Descarte's 2nd Law (physics) |
Every part of matter, regarded by itself, tends to continue moving along straight lines |
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Plenism |
There can be no empty space |
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Cartesian Gravity |
Gravity is the inward pressure caused by the condensation of finer matter at the periphery of a vortex |
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Cartesian Magnetism |
Magnetism is a result of the circulation of tiny helical particles through parallel threaded pores and through space around magnets |
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Newtonian Mosaic |
- Phlogiston Chemistry - Theory of Preformation - Linnaean Biology - Physiology - Associationist Psychology - History - Mathematics - Keplerian Astronomy - Theology - Newtonian Physics - Method: Hypothetico-Deductive Method |
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Theology |
The study of God and the relations between God, mankind, and the universe |
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Astrology |
A science concerned with the influence of the stars and planets upon terrestrial affairs |
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Absolute Space |
Space is independent of material objects. It is an empty receptacle in which physical processes take place |
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Infinite Universe |
The universe has no physical boundaries; it is infinite space |
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Heterogeneity |
Different regions of the universe obey different laws |
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Parabolic Paths |
The trajectory of a projectile is a parabola |
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Elliptical Paths |
The orbital trajectory of a planet is an ellipse |
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Vacuism |
There can be space absolutely devoid of matter - vacuum |
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Action at a Distance |
Material objects can influence each other at a distance EX: Gravity |
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Particles + Waves |
There are 2 types of matter - particles and waves |
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Dynamical Matter |
Matter is an extended substance interacting through forces |
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Contemporary Mosaic |
- Cosmology - General Relativity - Quantum Physics - Chemistry - Genetics - Mathematics - Evolutionary Biology - Neuroscience - Psychology - History - Sociology - Economics - Method: HD Method |
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Wave-Particle Duality |
All matter has both wave and corpuscular properties |
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Materialism |
There is only one substance - matter |
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Idealism |
There is only 1 substance - mind |
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Neutral Monism |
There is only 1 substance - Material-Spiritual |
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Monism |
There is only one substance: All things are essentially of one kind Varieties: Materialism, Idealism, Neutral Monism |
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Pluralism |
There are many distinct substances |
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Four Causations |
Dualistic Determinism, Indeterminism, Strict Determinism, Probabilistic Determinism |
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Dualistic Determinism |
While in the material world, all events are strictly deterministic, the mind is free to act spontaneously |
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Indeterminism |
There ca be uncaused events. In some situations, there is an infinite number of possible outcomes |
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Strict Determinism |
All events have their causes and the same initial conditions always produce the same effects |
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Probabilistic Determinism |
All events have their causes, but the same initial conditions may produce different effects |
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Metaphysics |
A set of views about the world taken as a whole |
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What are the three metaphysical situations that we don't have answers to? |
Action by contact vs Action at a distance Finite Universe Vs Infinite Universe Plenism Vs Vacuism |
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Aristotelian Metaphysics |
- Pluralism - Hylomorphism - Heterogeneity - Teleology - finite universe - plenism |
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Cartesian Metaphysics |
- Dualism - Mechanicism - Monotheism - Dualistic Determinism - Homogeneity - Action by Contact - infinite universe - Plenism |
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Newtonian Metaphysics |
- Dualism - particles + waves - Monotheism - Dualistic Determinism - Homogeneity - Action at a Distance - infinite universe - Vacuism |
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Contemporary Metaphysics |
- Materialism - Wave-Particle - Agnosticism - Probabilistic Determinism - Homogeneity - Action? - Finite-infinite? - Plenism-Vacuism? |
