Naturalized Philosophy of Science and Economic Method

1998 ◽  
pp. 165-179
Author(s):  
Christoph Luetge
Keyword(s):  
Philosophy Of Science ◽  
Research Program ◽  
Social Epistemology ◽  
Economic Method ◽  
Recent Developments

This paper draws a connection between recent developments in naturalized philosophy of science and in economics. Social epistemology is one part of the naturalistic enterprise that has become especially important. Some approaches in this field use methods borrowed from economics, a fact that has often been overlooked. But there are also genuinely economic approaches to the problems of science and knowledge. Some of these approaches can be seen as contributions to an "economic epistemology." While these contributions are certainly fruitful, they have also raised criticism from economists. I overview of these points of criticism and outline possibilities to deal with these problems. In particular, the Buchanan research program offers some help.

Cultivating Reason

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harvey Siegel
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Philosophy Of Science ◽  
Social Epistemology ◽  
Historical Record ◽  
Philosophical Tradition ◽  
Epistemic Dependence ◽  
Philosophical Work ◽  
Western Philosophical Tradition ◽  
Educational Ideal

The Western philosophical tradition has historically valorized the cultivation of reason as a fundamental intellectual ideal. This ideal continues to be defended by many as educationally basic. However, recent philosophical work has challenged it on several fronts, including worries stemming from relativistic tendencies in the philosophy of science, the apparent ubiquity of epistemic dependence in social epistemology, and broad critiques of objectionable hegemony launched from feminist and postmodernist perspectives. This chapter briefly reviews the historical record, connects the cultivation of reason to the educational ideal of critical thinking, spells out the latter ideal, and evaluates these challenges. It ends by sketching a general, “transcendental” reply to all such critiques of reason.

Conclusion: The Theme Revisited

2019 ◽  
pp. 327-338
Author(s):  
Jan Sprenger ◽  
Stephan Hartmann
Keyword(s):  
Philosophy Of Science ◽  
Statistical Inference ◽  
Social Epistemology ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Empirical Methods ◽  
Epistemology Of Science ◽  
Scientific Philosophy ◽  
Look Back

In this final chapter, we look back on the results of the book and the methods we used. In particular, we enter a discussion whether Bayesian philosophy of science can and should be labeled a proper scientific philosophy due to its combination of formal, conceptual, and empirical methods. Finally, we explore the limitations of the book and we sketch projects for future research (e.g., integrating our results with social epistemology of science and the philosophy of statistical inference).

Social Organization of Science

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Carrier
Keyword(s):  
Social Organization ◽  
Philosophy Of Science ◽  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Social Epistemology ◽  
Social Roles ◽  
Scientific Communities ◽  
Science Section ◽  
The Social ◽  
Organization Of Science ◽  
Knowledge Claims

The social organization of science as a topic of philosophy of science mostly concerns the question of which kinds of social organization are most beneficial to the epistemic aspirations of science. Section 1 addresses the interaction among scientists for improving epistemic qualities of knowledge claims in contrast to the mere accumulation of contributions from several scientists. Section 2 deals with the principles that are supposed to organize this interaction among scientists such that well-tested and well-confirmed knowledge is produced. Section 3 outlines what is supposed to glue scientific communities together and how society at large is assumed to affect the social organization of these communities. Section 4 attends to social epistemology (i.e., to attempts to explore the influence of social roles and characteristics on the system of scientific knowledge and confirmation practices).

scholarly journals Religionsvidenskabens primitivitetsopfattelser

1994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armin W. Geertz
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Philosophy Of Science ◽  
Intercultural Communication ◽  
Cultural Construction ◽  
Critical Examination ◽  
The Political ◽  
Ethical Problems ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Implicit And Explicit

This article explores notions of primitivism through a critical examination of the implicit and explicit assumptions behind these notions against the background of recent developments in the philosophy of science. In the section on terms and definitions the empirical and theoretical problems involved in the use of these terms are raised. The section on primitivism and literacy explores the weaknes of the stance known as "The Great Divide" thesis. The problems associated with mentality and rationalism follow with recent criticisms from the philosophy of science and anthropology on the attempt to model the hunman and social sciences on the hard sciences, on the illusions of linguistic and other forms of exactitude in the natural sciences, on the mutual incompatibility of notions of rationalism used in the various sciences, and on the questionability of a too close encounter between the cultural sciences and philosophy. The section on tradition and change explores the role of the supposed dichotomy between the two in notions of primitivism and xplores the political and ethical problems involved i nthe historiography of exotic cultures. This leads to the section on the whole problem of the cultural construction of the Other and the role played by stereotypes in that construction. The article ends with a discussion of the formidable problems in intercultural communication with an appeal to Western scientists to be more reflective on and critidal of their own positions.

Structures

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anjan Chakravartty
Keyword(s):  
Philosophy Of Science ◽  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Research Program ◽  
Fundamental Physics ◽  
Recent Philosophy

This chapter continues the work of the previous chapter by examining a further case study. The example here focuses on an attempt to use scientific knowledge not merely as a launching pad for ontological theorizing but as a constraint on the forms such theorizing may take. It investigates an influential research program in recent philosophy of science concerning the ontology of fundamental physics in relation to the rather slippery notion of a subatomic “particle.” It is argued that different proposals, which have emerged to give content to this notion, exemplify a pattern of reasoning in which one is inevitably driven either to accept a contentious ontological primitive or to reject the ontological proposal under consideration. One plausible response to this dilemma is a differential application of realism and pragmatism to different descriptions of particles.

Is there a future for ancient science?

2001 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
pp. 196-210
Author(s):  
G. E. R. Lloyd
Keyword(s):  
Philosophy Of Science ◽  
Ancient Science ◽  
Vice Chancellor ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
The Subject

My title has a narrow and a broader reference. The narrower one relates to the question of whether the study of ancient science will continue in this University. Valedictories do not have the same well-established conventions as inaugurals. But some taking stock of what has been happening in the field of studies picked out by the title of the Professorship that I have held for fifteen years may be thought appropriate or at least will be forgiven. The very fact that I raise this as a question (‘is there a future?) may suggest that in this last public act of my professorship, I may be about to pronounce an obituary for a subject that I have cultivated ever since I first began lecturing in this University. The prospects for the study of the subject here are indeed unclear. It may not be so much a matter of après moi le déluge, as après moi – rien ne va plus. But I am more concerned here – the Vice-Chancellor may be relieved to hear – not with the narrow, so much as with the broader issues suggested by my title. Where, in the wake of recent developments in the history and philosophy of science, is there a place – and is there a place – for ancient science?

Trends in Research in the Division of Entomology

1951 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 62-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Glen
Keyword(s):  
Research Program ◽  
Local Leadership ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Trained Staff ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Research Facilities ◽  
Public Demand

The research program of the Division of Entomology is steadily evolving as surely as are the insects themselves. The broad outlines of today's program have been shaped through the years by central administrative policies, by the nature and significance of the problems encountered, and by the pressure of public demand; the detail has been affected primarily by the availability of trained staff and research facilities, by the quality of local leadership, and by pertinent developments in sister sciences. All of these are continuing influences, which, together with important recent developments and some weighty unpredictables, will determine the nature and scope of tomorrow's program. But certain trends in research seem clear. The subject is discussed under three main headings, with a final summarizing statement.

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