In a previous post I have described what I consider and use as "scientific method":
1.Definition of "interest area" and getting expertise in its existing MODELS. 2.Observation or documentation of events pertinent to the interest area. 3.Endeavor to falsify existing MODELS. Next steps only if falsification succeeds. 4.Definition of Axiom(s) intuitively believed to found an improved MODEL. 5.Deducing Theorems from Axiom(s), thus creating a Theory. A Theory bottomed with observable Theorems becomes a rational, factually falsifiable MODEL Otherwise it stays a "pure" Theory. 6.Endeavoring to verify/falsify the MODEL inductively, proceeding bottom-up from observed facts specified by the bottoming factual (or empiric) Theorems. A verified MODEL is not proved, but not (yet) falsified and, as such, provisorily represents the state of the art of the interest area. Once falsified, it calls for a successor. ============= On the second thought I find this description a bit quick and dirty and will try to refine it here. A.It's really "rational" method, more general than "scientific", which may be formulated: *** Results of Deduction(5) and Induction(6) are not, as traditionally alleged exactly true/false, but fuzzy, ie. involving a particular degree of (un)certainty. Rational Model whose results are sufficiently certain to be approximated as exact, will be called "scientific", "Science" considered as a highly certain sub-domain of Rationality. *** B.The point 3.Endeavor to falsify existing MODELS is too vague. It should say: *** 3.Endeavor to falsify existing MODELS, by: either showing deductive mistakes, or inductively refuting theorems or axioms from empiric data. *** Indeed, deductively erroneous models, or even inductively refuted ones, may occasionally produce correct previsions. Two examples: -Einstein's 1905 derivation of E=MC2 was deductively incomplete, thus false. However, as it happened to produce empirically correct result, Einstein, having other fish to fry, did not bother to correct it. Corrected derivation may be seen in http://findgeorges.com/ROOT/RELATIVISTIC_DIALECTIC/D_OUTLINE_OF_EINSTEINS_RELATIVITY/DB_SPECIAL_RELATIVITY/dbe_emc2.html -Empirically correct Lorentz Transformations have been originally derived upon the inductively falsified Aether theory. Corrected derivation may be seen in: http://findgeorges.com/ROOT/RELATIVISTIC_DIALECTIC/D_OUTLINE_OF_EINSTEINS_RELATIVITY/DB_SPECIAL_RELATIVITY/dbb_lorentz_transformations.html Finally, the Rational Method becomes: ================================================== RATIONAL METHOD or RATIONALITY: 1.Definition of "interest area" and getting expertise in its existing MODELS. 2.Observation or documentation of events pertinent to the interest area. 3.Endeavor to falsify existing MODELS, by: either showing deductive mistakes, or inductively refuting theorems or axioms from empiric data. 4.Definition of Axiom(s) intuitively believed to found an improved MODEL. 5.Deducing Theorems from Axiom(s), thus creating a Theory. A Theory bottomed with observable Theorems becomes a rational, factually falsifiable MODEL Otherwise it stays a "pure" Theory. 6.Endeavoring to verify/falsify the MODEL inductively, proceeding bottom-up from observed facts specified by the bottoming factual (or empiric) Theorems. A verified MODEL is not proved, but not (yet) falsified and, as such, provisorily represents the state of the art of the interest area. Once falsified, it calls for a successor ================================================== SCIENTIFIC METHOD or SCIENCE: Results of Deduction(5) and Induction(6) are not, as traditionally alleged exactly true/false, but fuzzy, ie. involving a particular degree of (un)certainty. Rational Model whose results are sufficiently certain to be approximated as exact, will be called "scientific", "Science" considered as a highly certain sub-domain of Rationality. ================================================== Georges -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Epistemology" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/epistemology?hl=en.
