Distinction within Incommensurability

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

What is one of the reasons for paradigms being incommensurable in a methodological sense?

The use of the same methods and standards

Circularity in evaluating theoretical content (correct)

Theoretical content being unsupported by available data

The existence of a theory-free observational vocabulary

According to Kuhn, what contributes to incommensurability in a semantic sense?

Distinct bridge principles connecting terms to observations (correct)

The existence of a theory-free observational vocabulary

Consistent meanings of terms in competing paradigms

The use of observational vocabulary

How does Kuhn view the distinction between theoretical and observational vocabulary?

As essential for resolving paradigm disputes

As the basis for paradigm selection

As a concept rejected by Kuhn (correct)

As being theory-neutral

What does Kuhn believe about the observability of a paradigm-independent world?

There is no paradigm-independent world to be observed Signup and view all the answers

Why does Neue Gestalt assert that paradigm disputes cannot be resolved without using data from the same paradigm?

Since observations are theory-laden Signup and view all the answers

What factor contributes to the inability to compare Paradigm1 and Paradigm2 based on the theoretical content alone?

Circularity in methods of evaluation Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes between explanandum and explanans in the Covering Law model of explanation?

Explanandum refers to the statement describing what is to be explained, while explanans refers to the statements that provide the explanation. Signup and view all the answers

Which logical requirement states that the explanans must deductively entail the explanandum in a DN explanation?

DNL1 Signup and view all the answers

What must be included in the sentences that make up the explanans according to DNL2 in the Covering Law model?

Sentences expressing general laws. Signup and view all the answers

What is the empirical content requirement specified in the Covering Law model?

The explanations must be tested by experiments or observations. Signup and view all the answers

Which accounts form the combination in the Covering Law model of explanation?

'CL' and 'IS' accounts Signup and view all the answers

According to Aristotle's 4 causes, which cause is related to the explanations in the Covering Law model?

Efficient cause Signup and view all the answers

What does semantics emphasize about the models in a scientific theory?

They are idealized structures not actually part of the world. Signup and view all the answers

How does the Realist view of syntactically conceived theories define approximate truth?

Theories are approximately true but not precise representations of the world. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key response to the problem of idealization in scientific theories?

Considering theories as approximately true despite not being precise representations. Signup and view all the answers

What did logical empiricism dominate in the English-speaking world in the middle of the twentieth century?

Philosophy of science Signup and view all the answers

In which way do linguistic formulations associated with a theory resemble aspects of the world?

They are approximate and may not be true representations. Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining feature of idealized structures in scientific theories according to semantics?

They are not part of the actual world. Signup and view all the answers

Why can't statements like 'this sample is acidic' be equivalent to statements of the form 'if this sample is subjected to conditions x, then observable condition y will be realized'?

Because the latter statement always holds true when the former is false. Signup and view all the answers

How did logical positivists attempt to address the issue of weakening relationships between statements using VT and VO?

By avoiding allowing metaphysical statements to satisfy the criteria of cognitive meaningfulness. Signup and view all the answers

What did Carnap affirm regarding the verification of synthetic statements?

No synthetic statement can be verified completely and definitively. Signup and view all the answers

During the 1960s/70s, what challenge was presented to a central assumption of the logical empiricists?

The kind of thing a scientific theory is. Signup and view all the answers

What did Carnap suggest was needed in the discussion about scientific theories?

Precision. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of scientific discourse led to the need for the modification of the Verification principle?

Statements involving generalizations. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of bridging terms in the context of reduction?

To add principles connecting the terms of the reduced theory and the reducing theory Signup and view all the answers

In what scenario does a homogeneous reduction occur?

When terms from the reduced theory can be defined using standard logical operations on terms from the reducing theory Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of heterogeneous reduction?

It uses terms that are foreign to the reducing theory Signup and view all the answers

How does increasing explanatory power relate to reductions?

Reductions involve a kind of theory change that isn't mere change and can increase explanatory power Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes semantic reduction from other forms of reduction?

Semantic reduction follows from the reducing theory alone Signup and view all the answers

What makes reductions constitute clear cases of scientific progress?

When they involve a kind of theory change that isn't mere change and enhance explanatory power Signup and view all the answers