W3.1 March 18th (Monday)주영영 ZHUYINGYING

 1. summary

This text summarizes the basic features and steps of the scientific method.The scientific method has been characterized by scientific developments since the 17th century, including careful observation, strict doubt, inductive reasoning, experimentation, and statistical analysis.The process of scientific inquiry involves the formulation of hypotheses, the formation of predictions, and then the testing of hypotheses by experimental or empirical observation.Hypotheses must be falsifiable, and the scientific method, although presented as a series of steps, actually represents a set of general principles, and different scientific inquiries may differ in steps and order.


2.Interesting points

Interestingly, although the term "scientific method" became popular in the 20th century, there was no consensus on its meaning.In the 1960s and 1970s, influential philosophers of science began to question the universality of the "scientific method," arguing that scientific practice was a heterogeneous, endemic practice rather than a homogeneous and universal approach.In his book Against Methods, Paul Feyerabend argued even against the existence of any universal scientific rule, and some later positions went further, arguing that the scientific method was a myth or, at best, an idealization.These perspectives challenge traditional scientific concepts and emphasize the complexity and diversity of scientific practice.


3. Question

The text points out that the scientific method refutes the claims of other cognitive means, but does not discuss the role of other cognitive means in knowledge acquisition.Are there other cognitive means, such as philosophy, art, etc., that may be more applicable to certain problems?



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