pardon me, but my reaction is not personal. the precise meaning of basic important
words
such as empirical and anecdotal matters, because otherwise discourse fails to
communicate
accurately.
if one is talking about a single empirical observation, i fail to see the distinction
between an anecdote and an empirical observation.
the strength of a single empirical or anecdotal observation can vary. if it disproves
a
theory by providing a contrary example, it can be very powerful.
is the "empirical method" the same as the "scientific method?" is the "empirical
method"
the same as the "statistical method?" likely not, as the existence of different words
usually arises from differences in meaning.
is there such a critter as the "anecdotal method?" philosophy perhaps?
i await with great interest enlightenment from list-members.
muriel
Michael Atherton wrote:
> I had said that, "...your 'evidence' looks much more anecdotal than empirical".
> Anecdotal means: a short narrative concerning an interesting or amusing
> incident or event. I still believe that your evidence looks more anecdotal
> than empirical. Especially in the sense of "empirical method", where a
> single data point is not normally considered strong evidence.
>
> PS: Since you cc'ed your response to [EMAIL PROTECTED] perhaps
> you could tell me how to subscribe to this list-server (or if anyone else
> reading this overly personal exchange could tell me how it would be
> helpful).
>
> Muriel Strand wrote:
>
> > please note that empirical means "relying on observation or experiment; guided by
> > experience rather than theory." i had always understood that a single observation
>was
> > by definition empirical???
> >
> > and then, how exactly can a reference be itself empirical if what one observes is a
> > description of observation/s of event/s?
> >
> > Michael Atherton wrote:
> >
> > > Muriel Strand wrote:
> > >
> > > snip
> > > (besides your "evidence" looks much more anecdotal than empirical).
> > >
> >
>
> --
> http://www.tc.umn.edu/~athe0007
--
Any resemblance of any of the above opinions to anybody's official position is
completely
coincidental.
Muriel Strand, P.E.
Air Resources Engineer
CA Air Resources Board
2020 L Street
Sacramento, CA 59814
916-324-9661
916-327-8524 (fax)
www.arb.ca.gov
