Logical positivism

The purpose of this discussion is to debate whether or not psychology should be considered a science, and conclude with why it should. This can be seen as an important question as the status of science can be potentially influential and dangerous if an individual or group uses the label of science incorrectly for their own benefit (Novella, 2010). Science, in the view of the public, is something trustworthy and can influence people’s behaviour (Sarah Castell, 2014) so the information provided in…

science, physiology and the pathophysiology of wellness and disease. This is consistent with the logical positivism paradigm of modernist theory. Measuring a blood pressure is meaningless without the scientific understanding of cardiac output. Science is the how I understand the physiologic underpinnings of nursing, and the expected physiologic response. Science is systematic, objective, and logical. It is how I know administering a beta-blocker will reduce heart rate and blood pressure. Ethical…

predictable and measurable functions in the physical world.” Five years later, Kurt Godel published his paper “On Formally Undecidable Propositions of Principia Mathematica and Related Systems.” “Godel demonstrated mathematically and irrefutably, that logical consistency and truth are not synonymous.” Mathematics and science are only true within their domains or context. Uncertain Inference, by Henry Kyburg and Choh Man Teng, explores uncertainty and uncertain inference in depth. All…

1.1 Overview In this chapter, I will consider the focus of my research project and the methodological techniques that are best suited to achieve the aims and objectives of this thesis. The basis for discussion will be to consider the chosen methodological framework for analysis; Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) (Smith et al., 2013), as well as the format for data collection; semi-structured interviewing. Also discussed is the use of two separate conceptual frameworks, including…

Modernism and postmodernism literature The 20th century can be separated into two distinct periods; one characterized by the modernism movement and the other by postmodernism. Some consider that postmodernism was a response to modernism and therefore consider them as two aspects of the same movement. The Modern Age in English Literature started from the beginning of the twentieth century, and it followed the Victorian Age. Modernism refers to cultural movements of the late nineteenth and…

Deduction and Induction Management Theories Creswell (2009) defines theory as a set of interrelated constructs, definitions, and propositions that present a systematic view of a phenomenon by specifying relations among variable, with the purpose of explaining natural phenomena. The evolving of theories has contributed to knowledge accumulation most especially in management practices. A researcher in the field of management is usually faced with the need to find data or build from a data to…

J. Ayer, labeling his philosophy as logical positivism. Ayer's idea is that only definitional or empirical statements are meaningful. A statement is definitional when it is a relation of ideas. His problem is that he separates the two statements and does not consider the connection between them…

conclusions from the examination of hypotheses. However, Popper said that even if the results of the experiment coincide with the primordial hypothesis, it does not mean that the hypothesis is proved. Here, Blaikie added induction, which is the process of logical conclusion from observation on the basis of the transition from specific facts to general. The purpose of inductive approach is to identify rules and patterns in the phenomena. And deduction, which is drawing conclusion from general…

By making observations and analysis, scientists were making new discoveries that helped answer how the world functioned. This way of thinking was then applied to human behavior. The positivist school of thought is centered around the idea of positivism and was formed by Auguste Comte and his followers. Auguste Comte, who is considered to be the founder of sociology, argued that over time, societies pass through numerous stages. These stages can be grouped by how people try to understand the…

Science is the systematic study of structure and behaviour through observation and experiments. It is an intellectual and practical activity. Skinner (1965) noted that, “All scientists, whether giants or not, enable those who follow them to begin a little further along” (p.11). In the 14th century, Plato offered an alternative route to where science was; he did not see the need for observation, but instead highlighted the importance of other knowledge branches (Brysbaert & Rastle, 2009).…