Download or read book Underdetermination written by Thomas Bonk and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2008-03-13 with total page 11 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This timely book offers a wide-ranging study of the thesis that scientific theories are systematically "underdetermined" by the data they account for. After analyzing the epistemological and ontological aspects of the topic in detail, and reviewing pertinent logical facts and selected scientific cases, the author carefully examines the merits of arguments for and against the thesis. Along the way, he investigates methodological proposals and recent theories of confirmation.
Download or read book Underdetermination and Indirect Measurement written by Teru Miyake and published by Stanford University. This book was released on 2011 with total page 155 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: We have been astonishingly successful in gathering knowledge about certain objects or systems to which we seemingly have extremely limited access. Perhaps the most difficult problem in the investigation of such systems is that they are extremely underdetermined. What are the methods through which these cases of underdetermination are resolved? I argue in chapter 1 that these methods are best understood by thinking of what scientists are doing as gaining access to the previously inaccessible parts of these systems through a series of indirect measurements. I then discuss two central problems with such indirect measurements, theory mediation and the combining of effects, and ways in which these difficulties can be dealt with. In chapter 2, I examine the indirect measurement of planetary distances in the solar system in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries by Copernicus and Kepler. In this case, there was an underdetermination between three different theories about the motions of the planets, which can be partly resolved by the measurement of distances between the planets. The measurement of these distances was enabled by making certain assumptions about the motions of the planets. I argue that part of the justification for making these assumptions comes from decompositional success in playing off measurements of the earth's orbit and the Mars orbit against each other. In chapter 3, I examine the indirect measurement of mechanical properties such as mass and forces in the solar system by Newton. In this case, there were two underdeterminations, the first an underdetermination between two theories about the true motion of the sun and the earth, and the second an underdetermination between various theories for calculating planetary orbits. Newton resolves these two problems of underdetermination through a research program where the various sources of force are identified and accounted for. This program crucially requires the third law of motion to apply between celestial objects, an issue about which Newton was criticized by his contemporaries. I examine the justification for the application of the third law of motion through its successful use for decomposition of forces in the solar system in a long-term research program. I further discuss comments by Kant on the role of the third law of motion for Newton, in which Kant recognizes its indispensability for a long-term program for determining the center of mass of the solar system and thus defining a reference point relative to which forces can be identified. Chapter 4 covers the indirect measurement of density in the earth's interior using observations of seismic waves. One of the difficult problems in this case is that we can think of the interior density of the earth as a continuous function of radius—in order to determine this radius function, you are in effect making a measurement of an infinite number of points. The natural question to ask here is how much resolution the observations give you. I focus on the work of geophysicists who were concerned with this problem, out of which a standard model for the earth's density was developed.
Download or read book A Case for Underdetermination Consequences of Opposing the Distinction between Quantum Mechanics and Bohmian Mechanics written by Wiebke Schröder and published by GRIN Verlag. This book was released on 2013-03-18 with total page 14 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Seminar paper from the year 2011 in the subject Philosophy - Theoretical (Realisation, Science, Logic, Language), grade: A, Indiana University (History and Philosophy of Science), course: Demons in Physics, language: English, abstract: In his article Must Evidence Underdetermine Theory? John D. Norton attempts to refute a certain version of the underdetermination thesis. He attacks the idea that all evidence necessarily underdetermines any scientific theory. In the first part of this paper, I want to call into question part of his argument in some general terms and then focus on a particular case of possible underdetermination, namely Quantum mechanics (QM) and Bohmian mechanics (BM), in order to strengthen my criticism of Norton. Norton himself does not take sides in the debate over the question whether or not QM and BM are essentially the same theory, but says the possibility that they are cannot be ruled out. I will show that Norton, both in his general argument as well as in his judgment in the ‘QM/BM case’, takes a certain notion of theory for granted that his opponents would not agree with. In addition, I will investigate further consequences resulting from his position. This part makes up the bulk of my paper. In a second part I attempt to refute Norton on his own grounds. That is, on the basis of his idea of what a theory is, I will show that one can preclude the possibility that QM and BM are the same theory. To be clear: This paper is not a defense of the underdetermination thesis, but rather a critique of Norton’s attack.
Download or read book Underdetermination Truth and Realism written by Ümit Deniz Yalçin and published by . This book was released on 1989 with total page 436 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Underdetermination and the Claims of Science written by P. D. Magnus and published by . This book was released on 2003 with total page 420 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Understanding Philosophy of Science written by James Ladyman and published by Psychology Press. This book was released on 2002 with total page 312 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Few can imagine a world without telephones or televisions; many depend on computers and the Internet as part of daily life. Without scientific theory, these developments would not have been possible. In this exceptionally clear and engaging introduction to philosophy of science, James Ladyman explores the philosophical questions that arise when we reflect on the nature of the scientific method and the knowledge it produces. He discusses whether fundamental philosophical questions about knowledge and reality might be answered by science, and considers in detail the debate between realists and antirealists about the extent of scientific knowledge. Along the way, central topics in philosophy of science, such as the demarcation of science from non-science, induction, confirmation and falsification, the relationship between theory and observation and relativism are all addressed. Important and complex current debates over underdetermination, inference to the best explaination and the implications of radical theory change are clarified and clearly explained for those new to the subject.
Download or read book The Web of Belief written by Willard Van Orman Quine and published by Random House Trade. This book was released on 1978 with total page 164 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Web of Belief provides a philosophical base for the study and practice of the art of argumentation. Stressing the importance of language in understanding and expressing ideas, the authors explore such questions as: What concepts do we believe to be true and why? And how can we convince others to accept our own beliefs? Drawing on everyday problems of communication, creative exercises give the student practice in formulating and testing his own arguments, as well as those of others. --
Download or read book Radical Skepticism and Epistemic Intuition written by Michael Bergmann and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2021 with total page 295 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Radical skepticism endorses the extreme claim that large swaths of our ordinary beliefs, such as those produced by perception or memory, are irrational. The best arguments for such skepticism are, in their essentials, as familiar as a popular science fiction movie and yet even seasoned epistemologists continue to find them strangely seductive. Moreover, although most contemporary philosophers dismiss radical skepticism, they cannot agree on how best to respond to the challenge it presents. In the tradition of the 18th century Scottish philosopher, Thomas Reid, Radical Skepticism and Epistemic Intuition joins this discussion by taking up four main tasks. First, it identifies the strongest arguments for radical skepticism, namely, underdetermination arguments, which emphasize the gap between our evidence and our ordinary beliefs based on that evidence. Second, it rejects all inferential or argument-based responses to radical skepticism, which aim to lay out good noncircular reasoning from the evidence on which we base our ordinary beliefs to the conclusion that those beliefs are probably true. Third, it develops a commonsense noninferential response to radical skepticism with two distinctive features: (a) it consciously and extensively relies on epistemic intuitions, which are seemings about epistemic goods, such as knowledge and rationality, and (b) it can be endorsed without difficulty by both internalists and externalists in epistemology. Fourth, and finally, it defends this commonsense epistemic-intuition-based response to radical skepticism against a variety of objections, including those connected with underdetermination worries, epistemic circularity, disagreement problems, experimental philosophy, and concerns about whether it engages skepticism in a sufficiently serious way.
Download or read book A Companion to the Philosophy of Science written by W. H. Newton-Smith and published by Wiley-Blackwell. This book was released on 2001-10-08 with total page 596 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Unmatched in the quality of its world-renowned contributors, this companion serves as both a course text and a reference book across the broad spectrum of issues of concern to the philosophy of science.
Download or read book Realism and Truth written by Michael Devitt and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 1997-01-12 with total page 388 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In a provocative thesis, philosophy professor Michael Devitt argues for a thoroughgoing realism about the common-sense and scientific physical world and for a corresponding notion of truthcontrary to the opinions of anti-realists such as Putnam, Dummett, van Fraassen, and others. This second edition includes a new Afterword by the author.
Download or read book String Theory and the Scientific Method written by Richard Dawid and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2013-05-02 with total page 213 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: String theory has played a highly influential role in theoretical physics for nearly three decades and has substantially altered our view of the elementary building principles of the Universe. However, the theory remains empirically unconfirmed, and is expected to remain so for the foreseeable future. So why do string theorists have such a strong belief in their theory? This book explores this question, offering a novel insight into the nature of theory assessment itself. Dawid approaches the topic from a unique position, having extensive experience in both philosophy and high-energy physics. He argues that string theory is just the most conspicuous example of a number of theories in high-energy physics where non-empirical theory assessment has an important part to play. Aimed at physicists and philosophers of science, the book does not use mathematical formalism and explains most technical terms.
Download or read book Philosophical Problems of Behavioural Economics written by Stefan Heidl and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2016-05-05 with total page 229 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The goal of behavioural economics is to improve the explanatory and predictive power of economics. This can be achieved by using theoretical and methodological resources of psychology. Its fundamental idea is that the relationship between psychology and economics cannot be subsumed under standard philosophical accounts of intertheoretical relations. Philosophical Problems of Behavioural Economics argues that behavioural economics is best understood as an attempt to deidealize economic theory guided by psychological research. Behavioural economics deconstructs the model of decision-making by adding different elements. Based on this understanding behavioural economics has a number of tasks: first, it has to identify which economic theory needs to be challenged; second it aims to identify factors which need to be modelled within economic theories of choice and modify the theory accordingly; and finally, it has to create models that explain economic phenomena based on the new theory. This book analyses the different stages of this deconstruction process and shows how the scientific disciplines of economics and psychology are connected by it. This volume develops a new account of intertheoretical relations based on the idea of deidealization and thus contributes to debates within the philosophy of social science. It is suitable for those who are interested in or study economic theory and philosophy, economic psychology and philosophy of social science.
Download or read book Knowledge Language and Logic Questions for Quine written by A. Orenstein and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2000-04-30 with total page 476 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Quine is one of the twentieth century's most important and influential philosophers. The essays in this collection are by some of the leading figures in their fields and they touch on the most recent turnings in Quine's work. The book also features an essay by Quine himself, and his replies to each of the papers. Questions are raised concerning Quine's views on knowledge: observation, holism, truth, naturalized epistemology; about language: meaning, the indeterminacy of translation, conjecture; and about the philosophy of logic: ontology, singular terms, vagueness, identity, and intensional contexts. Given Quine's preeminent position, this book must be of interest to students of philosophy in general, Quine aficionados, and most particularly to those working in the areas of epistemology, ontology, philosophies of language, of logic, and of science.
Download or read book Routledge Library Editions Philosophy of Time written by Various Authors and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2021-03-05 with total page 1519 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Reissuing five works originally published between 1937 and 1991, this collection contains books addressing the subject of time, from a mostly philosophic point of view but also of interest to those in the science and mathematics worlds. These texts are brought back into print in this small set of works addressing how we think about time, the history of the philosophy of time, the measurement of time, theories of relativity and discussions of the wider thinking about time and space, among other aspects. One volume is a thorough bibliography collating references on the subject of time across many disciplines.
Download or read book Thick Concepts written by Simon Kirchin and published by OUP Oxford. This book was released on 2013-04-25 with total page 248 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What is the difference between judging someone to be good and judging them to be kind? Both judgements are typically positive, but the latter seems to offer more description of the person: we get a more specific sense of what they are like. Very general evaluative concepts (such as good, bad, right and wrong) are referred to as thin concepts, whilst more specific ones (including brave, rude, gracious, wicked, sympathetic, and mean) are termed thick concepts. In this volume, an international team of experts addresses the questions that this distinction opens up. How do the descriptive and evaluative functions or elements of thick concepts combine with each other? Are these functions or elements separable in the first place? Is there a sharp division between thin and thick concepts? Can we mark interesting further distinctions between how thick ethical concepts work and how other thick concepts work, such as those found in aesthetics and epistemology? How, if at all, are thick concepts related to reasons and action? These questions, and others, touch on some of the deepest philosophical issues about the evaluative and normative. They force us to think hard about the place of the evaluative in a (seemingly) nonevaluative world, and raise fascinating issues about how language works.
Download or read book A Companion to W V O Quine written by Gilbert Harman and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2013-12-05 with total page 600 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This Companion brings together a team of leading figures in contemporary philosophy to provide an in-depth exposition and analysis of Quine’s extensive influence across philosophy’s many subfields, highlighting the breadth of his work, and revealing his continued significance today. Provides an in-depth account and analysis of W.V.O. Quine’s contribution to American Philosophy, and his position as one of the late twentieth-century’s most influential analytic philosophers Brings together newly-commissioned essays by leading figures within contemporary philosophy Covers Quine’s work across philosophy of logic, philosophy of language, ontology and metaphysics, epistemology, and more Explores his work in relation to the origins of analytic philosophy in America, and to the history of philosophy more broadly Highlights the breadth of Quine’s work across the discipline, and demonstrates the continuing influence of his work within the philosophical community
Download or read book Convention Translation and Understanding written by Robert Feleppa and published by State University of New York Press. This book was released on 1988-07-08 with total page 332 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book surveys several theoretical controversies in anthropology that revolve around reconciling the objective description of culture with the influence of inquirer interests and conceptions. It relates them to discussions by followers of W.V. Quine who see the problems of anthropological inquiry as indicative of conceptual problems in the basic assumptions operative in the discipline, and in the study of language in general. Feleppa offers a revised view of the nature and function of translation in anthropology that gives a plausible account of the problems that traditional semantics introduces into anthropology, while avoiding the severe methodological import Quine envisions.
