Philosophy of Science Concepts Quiz

Philosophy of Science Concepts

• Science: A systematic approach to acquiring knowledge through methods.
• Demarcation Problem: Determining the difference between science and non-science.
• Philosophy of Science: Study of fundamental principles guiding scientific inquiry.
• Rationalism: Obtaining knowledge through reason rather than experience.
• Logical Positivism: Emphasizes verification of claims through empirical evidence.
• Falsification Theory (Popper): Hypotheses must be testable and potentially disprovable.
• Scientific Method: A systematic approach encompassing inquiry and experimentation.
• Hypothesis: A testable prediction based on existing knowledge.
• Primary Data: Original data collected specifically for research.
• Chalmers' Question: Investigating the essence of scientific practice itself.
• Ornithology Analogy: Questioning the relevance of philosophy to scientific processes.
• Dennett (Philosopher): Discusses philosophy's role in scientific endeavors.
• Feynman (Physicist): Criticized the perceived lack of practicality in using philosophy in science.
• Arcesilaus (Philosopher): Known for his skeptical views.
• Correspondence View: Reality matches our factual understanding.
• Coherence View: Facts fit our current understanding of reality.
• Pragmatic View: Focuses on practical applications rather than absolute truth.
• Logical Positivism: Emphasizes the verification of claims through empirical evidence.
• Vienna Circle: A group advocating for logical positivism.
• Ayer (A. J.): A prominent figure in logical positivism.
• Falsification: A criterion distinguishing science from non-science based on testability and falsifiability.
• Popper (Karl): Known for the falsification principle.
• Critical Rationalism: Science is grounded in efforts to disprove, not prove, hypotheses.
• Scientific Scepticism (Sagan): Questions claims rigorously based on empirical evidence.
• Inductive Argument: Reasoning from specific instances to general conclusions.
• Deductive Argument: Reasoning from general premises to specific conclusions.
• Empiricism: Knowledge originates from sensory experiences.
• Induction: Reasoning from observed instances to draw general conclusions.
• Deduction: Reasoning from general principles to specific cases.
• Inductive Reasoning: Exploratory, starting with specific data and moving toward generalization.
• Deductive Reasoning: Top-down approach, beginning with generalized principles and hypotheses to derive specific predictions.
• Hypothesis (Tentative): A proposed explanation subject to verification.
• Scientific Method (Steps): Systematic procedure including observation, hypothesis formation, prediction, testing, analysis.
• Observation: Noting something that prompts a question.
• Hypothesis Formulation: Creating potential explanations for an observation.
• Prediction: Expected outcome of a test or experiment.
• Testing: Designing procedures to gather supporting or refuting data.
• Analysis: Examining data to draw meaningful conclusions.
• Black Swan Problem: Unexpected events challenging established theories.
• Tentative Hypothesis: Initial guess needing further investigation.
• Context of Justification: Framework determining the validity of scientific claims.
• Steady State Theory: Universe remains the same throughout time.
• Newton's Law: Objects typically return to where they were thrown.
• Creative Science: Characterized by imagination and social interactions.
• Gold (Thomas): Proposed the universe's cyclical nature.
• Dead of Night (Film): Horror film with a circular narrative structure.
• Hubble's Observations: Evidence showing galaxies move apart.
• Darwin (Charles): Naturalist known for evolutionary theory and geology.
• Parallel Roads of Glen Roy: Studied geological features potentially linked to glacial lakes.
• Agassiz (Louis): Geologist who proposed the glacial lake theory.
• Glacial Lake Hypothesis: Explanation of lake formation from glacial damming.
• Battarbee et al. (1985): Study on Scottish lake acidification.
• Falsifiable Hypotheses: Testable hypotheses that can be proven false.
• Sediment Cores: Samples for studying past environmental conditions.
• Diatoms: Microscopic algae sensitive to water acidity.
• Linear Sediment Accumulation Rate: Approximated at 1 mm a year in sediment cores.
• Acidification Hypothesis: Linking acid rain to lake acidification.
• Heavy Metal Fluxes: Increase in metals like Pb, Cu, Zn in sediments.
• Replication: Experiment repetition to confirm results.
• External Review: Assessment of research by independent experts.
• Data Recording: Documentation of findings for transparency.
• Journal of negative results: Nonexistent publication for studies yielding negative outcomes.
• Peer-Reviewed Journal: Publication ensuring research quality via expert review.
• Acid Rain: Precipitation with increased levels of sulfuric and nitric acid.
• Limitations of Science: Challenges in publishing negative or inconclusive results.
• Negative Results: Findings that do not support hypotheses.
• Retraction Rates: Increasing frequency of retractions in scientific publications.
• Self-Correcting: Science's ability to correct errors.
• Popper (Karl): Emphasized knowledge accumulation through reasoning.
• Paradigm Shifts (Kuhn): Fundamental changes in scientific theories and practices.
• Kuhn (Thomas): Historian challenging linear views on the progress of science.
• Leading Alternative Hypothesis: Current dominant theory before a paradigm shift.
• Plate Tectonics: Theory about continental drift, becoming established in the 1960s.
• Climate Change Evidence: New findings altering perspectives on past climates.
• Ice Core Evidence: Data from ice cores revealing climate history.
• Web of Scientific Paradigms: Visual representation of interconnected scientific theories.
• Cited Papers: Academic works referencing other articles.
• Geographical Fact: Location influences interactions among elements.
• Surely Operator: Phrase indicating uncertainty in the argument's basis.
• Circular Reasoning: Fallacy where conclusion assumes premise validity
• Begging the Question: Argument presumes what it intends to prove.
• Scientific Paradigms: Frameworks for scientific research and interpretation.
• Research & Node Layout: Method for organizing scientific papers by paradigms .
• Logical Fallacy: Error in logical reasoning undermining validity.
• Weak Points: Vulnerabilities in an argument's logic.
• Geographical Interaction: Influence of location on relationships between variables.
• Scientific Discovery: New findings expanding understanding within a field.
• Knowledge Accumulation: Gradual building of knowledge over time.
• Begging the Question (fallacy): Presuming conclusion without sufficient evidence.
• Faulty Premise: Incorrect assumption leading to incorrect conclusion.
• Multiple Working Hypotheses (Chamberlin): Examining several potential explanations before committing to one.
• Phenomenon: Observable event or occurrence to be studied.
• Chamberlin (Thomas C.): Advocated for considering and evaluating multiple hypotheses.
• Scientific Method (Process): Systematic process for investigating phenomena, including observation, hypothesis formation, prediction, testing, analysis.
• Observation: Noting a phenomenon prompting questions.
• Hypothesis Formulation: Creating potential explanations for observations.
• Prediction: Statement of expected outcomes related to hypotheses.
• Testing: Designing experiments to gather supportive or contradictory data.