Conceptual Analysis in the Philosophy of Science

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-124
Author(s):  
Martin Zach ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Philosophy Of Science ◽  
Conceptual Analysis ◽  
Analytic Philosophy ◽  
Historical Trend ◽  
Adequate Understanding ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Basic Characteristics ◽  
Science Show ◽  
Scientific Endeavour

Conceptual analysis as a method of inquiry has long enjoyed popularity in analytic philosophy, including the philosophy of science. In this article I offer a perspective on the ways in which the method of conceptual analysis has been used, and distinguish two broad kinds, namely philosophical and empirical conceptual analysis. In so doing I outline a historical trend in which non-naturalized approaches to conceptual analysis are being replaced by a variety of naturalized approaches. I outline the basic characteristics of these approaches with illustrative examples, arguing that recent developments in the philosophy of science show that in order to achieve a more adequate understanding of scientific endeavour we need to prioritize the naturalized accounts of the method.

Recent Developments in the Assessment and Diagnosis of Child Psychopathology

1995 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 203-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank C. Verhulst
Keyword(s):  
Problem Behaviors ◽  
Child Psychopathology ◽  
Developmental Differences ◽  
Multiple Informants ◽  
Cultural Research ◽  
Assessment Approach ◽  
Multicultural Knowledge ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Basic Characteristics ◽  
Assessment And Diagnosis

In this article, recent developments in the assessment and diagnosis of child psychopathology are discussed with an emphasis on standardized methodologies that provide data that can be scored on empirically derived groupings of problems that tend to co-occur. Assessment methodologies are highlighted that especially take account of the following three basic characteristics of child psychopathology: (1) the quantitative nature of child psychopathology; (2) the role of developmental differences in the occurrence of problem behaviors, and (3) the need for multiple informants. Cross-cultural research is needed to test the applicability of assessment procedures across different settings as well as the generalizability of taxonomic constructs. Assessments of children in different cultures can be compared or pooled to arrive at a multicultural knowledge base which may be much stronger than knowledge based on only one culture. It is essential to avoid assuming that data from any single source reveal the significance of particular problems. Instead, comprehensive assessment of psychopathology requires coordination of multisource data using a multiaxial assessment approach.

Characteristics of Scientific Inquiry

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Miksza ◽  
Kenneth Elpus
Keyword(s):  
Philosophy Of Science ◽  
Scientific Inquiry ◽  
Scientific Reasoning ◽  
Scientific Community ◽  
Scientific Progress ◽  
Statistical Tools ◽  
Basic Characteristics ◽  
Historical Developments

This chapter introduces the reader to basic characteristics of science and situates the design and analysis considerations presented throughout the book within the context of scientific inquiry. A brief description of key historical developments regarding the philosophy of science is provided. An overview of the fundamental aspects of inductive and deductive scientific reasoning and the importance of falsification to scientific progress is presented. In addition, the values of objectivity and transparency as well as the importance of scientific community are stressed. The usefulness of statistical tools for helping researchers clarify their questions, establish criteria for their judgments, and communicate evidence for their claims is also discussed.

Conceptualizing Computer Simulations in Philosophy of Science

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-169
Author(s):  
Timur V. Khamdamov ◽  
Mikhail Yu. Voloshin ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Philosophy Of Science ◽  
Computer Simulations ◽  
Russian Philosophy ◽  
Main Role ◽  
Controversial Issues ◽  
Taxonomic Problem ◽  
Basic Characteristics ◽  
The One ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Impact

In the modern Russian philosophy, discussions about the phenomenon of computer simulations in the scientific research practice of conducting experiments are just beginning to pass the stage of initiation in small interdisciplinary groups studying this new direction for the philosophy of science. At the same time, in Western philosophy by the current moment there have been formed entire directions for the study of computer simulations. Different groups of researchers in different ways form ideas about the basic characteristics of simulations: from skeptical views on their nature, which are of no philosophical interest, to extremely revolutionary attitudes that assign simulations to the main role in the next expected turn of philosophy, comparable in its power to the linguistic turn in early XX century. One of the main controversial issues in Western philosophical thought was the search for relevant criteria and signs of simulations that could create a solid basis for formulating a rigorous definition of this phenomenon. Thus, through the definition, researchers first of all try, on the one hand, to solve the taxonomic problem of the correlation and interconnection of simulations with other types of experiment: natural, laboratory, mental, mathematical. On the other hand, to reveal for philosophy ontological and epistemological foundations of simulations, which carry the potential of new philosophical knowledge. This article is devoted to a brief review of the existing concepts of representatives of Western schools of thought on the phenomenon of computer simulations in the context of the philosophy of science. The structure of the review is built on three basic conceptual directions: 1) definition of the term "computer simulation"; 2) computer simulations as an experiment; 3) the epistemic value of simulations. Such a review can become the subject of discussion for Russian researchers interested in the impact of computer simulations on science and philosophy.

scholarly journals The Algorithm of Information and the Origin of Basic Particles

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 479-497
Author(s):  
Bhekuzulu Khumalo
Keyword(s):  
Philosophy Of Science ◽  
Elementary Particles ◽  
Basic Particle ◽  
Basic Characteristics

Everything is information because everything will inform you about itself through our senses, there is no other way to say it when discussing the philosophy of science. All information has similar basic characteristics including randomness. The reality of randomness gave the concepts to the theory of the algorithm of information the basis of all degrees of randomness. Everything is about relationships; the algorithm of information is the tool existence uses to determine the chances of relationships. If everything is about relationships, then relationships must begin with the particles. Not the basic particles having relationships with other basic particles as it was first postulated. The basic particle itself must be the result of an event and thus a relationship, it was not always there. This paper aims to shed some light on the question of where do particles come from? What relationships led to the event that created elementary particles?

scholarly journals Soziales System statt Ökosystem: Für eine gesellschaftstheoretische Grundierung des Ecocriticism

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Hofer
Keyword(s):  
Literary Criticism ◽  
German Literature ◽  
Ecological Crisis ◽  
Niklas Luhmann ◽  
Palabras Clave ◽  
Adequate Understanding ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Soziales System ◽  
Ecological Communication

Keywords: ökologisch orientierte Literatur- und Kulturwissenschaft, gesellschaftstheoretische Grundierung, ökologische Kommunikation, diskurstheoretischer Ansatz, Niklas Luhmann, prekäre Erkenntnismöglichkeiten. Why has ecocriticism yet to gain recognition in German literature departments? One reason is that fundamental questions about literature as a form of ecological communication and its function in society have yet to be satisfactorily answered. Even significant recent developments in ecocritical theory like Zapf’s “Cultural Ecology” are problematic, inasmuch as they are based on an over-simplified conception of ecology and the harmony of ecosystems. A more robust theoretical grounding for ecocriticism can be found in social theory. Niklas Luhmann’s systems theory provides the theoretical framework for an adequate understanding of ecological crisis and of the role of literature and literary criticism in addressing it. Palabras clave: literatura ecológica y ciencias culturales, fundamentos de la teoría social, comunicación ecológica, principios de la teoría discursiva, Niklas Luhmann, precario descubrimiento de posibilidades ¿Por qué la ecocrítica todavía tiene que obtener reconocimiento en los departamentos de literatura Germánica? Una razón es que las preguntas fundamentales sobre la literatura como forma de comunicación ecológica y su función en la sociedad aún no han obtenido una respuesta satisfactoria. Incluso los desarrollos recientes en teoría ecocrítica como la “Ecología Cultural” de Zapf son problemáticos  en tanto que se basan en un concepto de ecología y en una armonía de los ecosistemas excesivamente simplificado. Puede encontrarse una base teórica más consistente para la ecocrítica en la teoría social. La teoría de sistemas de Niklas Luhmann proporciona el marco teórico para una interpretación adecuada de la crisis ecológica y del papel de la literatura y de la crítica literaria en su tratamiento de ésta

Twardowski, Kazimierz (1866–1938)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Wolenski
Keyword(s):  
Philosophy Of Science ◽  
Philosophy Of Language ◽  
Analytic Philosophy ◽  
Teaching Activities ◽  
Scientific Philosophy ◽  
The University

Twardowski, one of the most distinguished of Brentano’s students, became famous for his distinction between the content and object of presentations. Twardowski, after his appointment as a professor of philosophy at the University of Lwów (Lvov), considerably limited his own philosophical research for the sake of teaching activities. He set himself an ambitious task: to create a scientific philosophy in Poland. Twardowski fully realized his aim, giving the first step towards the so-called Lwów–Warsaw School, a group of philosophers working in analytic philosophy – in particular, logic, philosophy of science, and philosophy of language. In spite of his concentration on teaching, Twardowski also made remarkable contributions to philosophy after coming to Lwów.

scholarly journals The attitudes of psychiatrists to philosophy

1994 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 343-345
Author(s):  
K.W.M. Fulford ◽  
G. Adshead
Keyword(s):  
Philosophy Of Science ◽  
Royal College ◽  
Philosophy Of Mind ◽  
Conceptual Analysis ◽  
High Level

Questionnaires exploring the attitudes of psychiatrists to philosophy were distributed at two meetings of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Out of a possible 240, 126 questionnaires were returned (53%). The results showed a surprisingly high level of interest in and support for philosophy. Over 50% of respondents indicated that they considered conceptual analysis, ethics, jurisprudence, the philosophy of science and the philosophy of mind to be practically important in psychiatry. Similarly, 89% believed that ethics, and 72% that other areas of philosophy, should be included in the MRCPsych syllabus. The significance of the study is reviewed briefly.

Les concepts souffrent-ils de négligence bénigne en sciences sociales? Eléments d’analyse conceptuelle et examen exploratoire de la littérature francophone à caractère méthodologique

2012 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre-Marc Daigneault ◽  
Steve Jacob
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Analysis ◽  
Empirical Test ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Benign Neglect ◽  
Data Collection And Analysis ◽  
Scant Attention ◽  
Rules And Principles ◽  
American Political Science ◽  
Sciences Sociales ◽  
Scientific Endeavour

Concepts are essential to any scientific endeavour aimed at ‘discovering’ the nature of ‘reality’. Yet, concepts and their analysis have received scant attention from scholars as objects worth studying and teaching in and of themselves, especially in comparison to data collection and analysis techniques. When scholars venture into analyzing concepts, they generally proceed informally, thereby raising serious concerns in terms of the validity of their findings. Conceptual analysis seems to be unrecognized and even unappreciated. This article aims to mitigate this problem. We first offer a few basic principles of conceptual analysis drawn from North American political science. After examining the nature of concepts and their importance to science, the work of Giovanni Sartori is used to establish a few rules and principles to follow when performing conceptual work. Using a sample of francophone methodological literature, we then conduct a plausibility probe of the hypothesis according to which conceptual analysis suffers from ‘benign neglect’. Based on this empirical test, we conclude that while many books explicitly deal with conceptual analysis, very few do so systematically.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document