27 ideas
3870 | The real problem of science is how to choose between possible explanations [Newton-Smith] |
3853 | For science to be rational, we must explain scientific change rationally [Newton-Smith] |
3859 | We do not wish merely to predict, we also want to explain [Newton-Smith] |
3854 | Positivists hold that theoretical terms change, but observation terms don't [Newton-Smith] |
3855 | Critics attack positivist division between theory and observation [Newton-Smith] |
6564 | To affirm 'p and not-p' is to have mislearned 'and' or 'not' [Quine] |
3861 | Theories generate infinite truths and falsehoods, so they cannot be used to assess probability [Newton-Smith] |
3869 | More truthful theories have greater predictive power [Newton-Smith] |
1564 | True and false statements can use exactly the same words [Anon (Diss)] |
3867 | De re necessity arises from the way the world is [Newton-Smith] |
3872 | We must assess the truth of beliefs in identifying them [Newton-Smith] |
1561 | Anything can be acceptable in some circumstances and unacceptable in others [Anon (Diss)] |
1559 | Thracians think tattooing adds to a girl's beauty, but elsewhere it is a punishment [Anon (Diss)] |
1560 | Lydians prostitute their daughters to raise a dowery, but no Greek would marry such a girl [Anon (Diss)] |
3857 | Defeat relativism by emphasising truth and reference, not meaning [Newton-Smith] |
3858 | A full understanding of 'yellow' involves some theory [Newton-Smith] |
3862 | All theories contain anomalies, and so are falsified! [Newton-Smith] |
3863 | The anomaly of Uranus didn't destroy Newton's mechanics - it led to Neptune's discovery [Newton-Smith] |
3864 | Anomalies are judged against rival theories, and support for the current theory [Newton-Smith] |
3865 | Why should it matter whether or not a theory is scientific? [Newton-Smith] |
3866 | If theories are really incommensurable, we could believe them all [Newton-Smith] |
1567 | How could someone who knows everything fail to act correctly? [Anon (Diss)] |
3871 | Explaining an action is showing that it is rational [Newton-Smith] |
1563 | Every apparent crime can be right in certain circumstances [Anon (Diss), by PG] |
1562 | It is right to lie to someone, to get them to take medicine they are reluctant to take [Anon (Diss)] |
1566 | The first priority in elections is to vote for people who support democracy [Anon (Diss)] |
1565 | We learn language, and we don't know who teaches us it [Anon (Diss)] |