For questions about the branch of philosophy studying science, scientists, the scientific method and related topics.
Questions tagged [philosophy-of-science]
160 questions
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Why was the Vienna Circle so important?
As far as I know the Vienna Circle was very relevant to science in the twentieth century. Why? What was the importance of the members' philosophy in science? Would science be too different from what it is today if it weren't for them? (I know these…
hjhjhj57
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What's the origin of the concept of the five senses?
It is commonly said (to children) that we have five senses: taste, sight, touch, smell, and hearing. The term "sixth sense" refers to something supernatural. But we do have more senses. Balance, for example, is as tangible as the other senses. More…
LocalFluff
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What are the principles of historiography of science?
Is there a consensus amongst historians as to the principles of the historiography of science or as to how to write/create/preserve/record history? If there is, then what are those principles? If there isn't, what are the major positions regarding…
Louis
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Why is the problem of demarcation important in the history of science?
Historically, why has it been important to have a clear distinction between science and other forms of knowledge? The only thing I have come across so far is the debate between evolution and creation, with Popper's idea of scientific theories being…
1123581321
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What was the full name of I. Bernard Cohen?
I've seen quite a few of the names I. Bernard Cohen in the history of science book. But I couldn't find what I. meant.
ististyle
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Eventually impossible to contribute to science?
(Excuse me in advance if I've hereby launched a duplicate question, but so far I didn't came across any opinions.)
In other words, I was wondering: Will scientific progress finally stall, because it will take too long for a researcher to reach the…
Pieter Depamelaere
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Were there any famous Asian philosophers who were also mathematicians?
New here, had a question: Were there any famous Asian philosophers who were also mathematicians? Happy Xmas!
user5135
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Are there fields of science that became more successful after becoming less clearly understood?
In machine learning, people have been more and more letting go of the idea that they should understand how a particular algorithm works, and accepting it on the basis that it "just works".
Are there other examples in the history of science where…
user56834
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Was interpretivism always considered scientific by part of the people?
I always was amazed by how disciplines which can give very different grades of accuracy (exact sciences in contrast to others which fails in its predictions more times than they are successful) can all be considered science by part of the people. So…
Pablo
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In which ways has religion helped the progress of science?
I am writing a research paper on the interplay between science and religion, and need some examples of times when religion has benefited or inspired science and technology.
Marsha Jelleff
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Misunderstanding of philosopher work by other philosopher in ancient time
Throughout history, we have had many philosophers pre-Socrates to Aristotle to Morden Era,
Did in ancient times around 1 B.C.E to 5 A.D, be it, philosophers or Astronomers when quoting famous philosophers' works, in their work for E.g: 1 A.D…
Abhishek Yadav
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Did the death of Archimedes mark the turning point of the golden age of Greek science
Western philosophy was founded by Socrates, and Greek science was blossomed by his students and descendants such as Plato, Aristotle, Euclid, Archimedes, and many others.
It seemed that after the tragic death of Archimedes, Greek science and…
Eugene Zhang
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Suggestions for hosting a Scientific Salon of Paris in Émilie du Châtelet's time
My students just learned about Émilie du Châtelet's Salon with Voltaire in her husband's residence in Paris and in their country estates.
I want to give them a homework assignment for extra credit of hosting one.
Suggestions?
MrsWhitson
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Was Joseph Priestley describing fundamental interactions in the 18th century?
In 1777, Joseph Priestley wrote a book called Disquisitions relating to Matter and Spirit, in which he says:
It is maintained in this treatise, that neither matter nor spirit (meaning by the latter the subject of sense and thought) correspond to…
Cannabijoy
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If the lens wasn't discovered/invented what current technologies wouldn't be possible
When I'm thinking of the most crucial discoverys of science than I think of the lens invented in the 16e century. By using a lens man could make microscopes and telescopes. When I think about that than I can't imagine that people had gone to the…
Marijn
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