Class 9 - Scientific Approaches - Early Scientific Philosophy Flashcards
(46 cards)
How did Ancient cultures contribute to scientific methods?
They used – deductive reasoning, – focusing on descriptive research. – They aimed to explain – the world by applying – reasoning from general principles – to specific cases.
What type of reasoning did Ancient Greek culture primarily use in scientific inquiry?
Ancient Greek culture relied on – formal logical deduction. – Thinkers like Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates –built knowledge –based on – strong verbal – and – written arguments, – applying and expanding on established wisdom.
What was the role of theological authority in shaping scientific knowledge?
The Church, as a theological authority, – dominated knowledge by focusing – mainly on Biblical teachings. – Inquiry was limited to – what aligned with religious doctrine.
How did Al-Haytham contribute to scientific research?
– Al-Haytham = 100% on exam
Inductive reasoning = **making hypothesis **etc
What is Descriptive Reasoning, and what are its limitations?
Give example.
- Descriptive Reasoning – focuses on observing – and – stating the presence or absence – of something – without explaining – HOW it works – or – predicting future behavior.
- Limitation = It relies – on the accuracy – of the observer – and is prone – to bias and error.
- Example: “The sun rises at 7 AM and sets at 7 PM.” It notes the observation but doesn’t explain WHY it happens; – X type of birds only sing in the morning, does’t ecplain why?
What is Deductive Reasoning?
Give example.
Deductive reasoning – starts with general premises – and moves to – specific conclusions. – If the premises are true – and logic is valid, – the conclusion – is guaranteed to be true.
Example:
Premise: All mammals are warm-blooded.
Premise: Whales are mammals.
Conclusion: Whales are warm-blooded.
Premise:all appples are red.
Premise:all apples are round.
Conclusion:i have a roud thing in my hand, therefore i am holding a apply.
What is Inductive Reasoning?
Give example.
- Inductive reasoning – starts with specific Observations – and builds general conclusions.
- It increases probability – but never guarantees certainty.
- Example:Observation: The sun rose today.
Observation: The sun has risen every day before.
Conclusion: The sun will rise tomorrow.
What was the purpose of the Nilometer in Ancient Egypt?
- The Nilometer – measured the Nile’s highest water level – to predict – agricultural yield for the year.
- Since the Nile’s flood cycle – determined Egypt’s food supply –and economy, – this allowed early warnings.
- It helped – Egypt plan resources, – manage grain storage, – set taxes, – and – prevent social unrest.
- Also legitimized rulers as divinely wise, as they could “predict” outcomes.
- Without the Nile’s proper flood, –Egypt risked starvation — “No Nile = No Egypt.”
Was Nilometer an example of deductive or inductive reasoning. Why?
- Inductive reasoning
- Because = They made specific Observations year after year about the Nile’s water levels.
- Noticed a pattern: high floods = good harvest, low floods = bad harvest.
- Used those observations to draw general Conclusions and predict future outcomes, like food supply and tax rates.
What were the Siddhantas, and why were they important in ancient Indian scientific methods?
- Texts containing – astronomical data – and – procedures that were based on observation.
- Listed rules – and – tables for tracking the sun, moon, and planets.
- Used to predict eclipses – and – maintain ritual calendars.
- Included instructions for sundials and timekeeping.
- Vital for – agriculture, – royal coronations, – and – religious festivals — ensuring rituals were done at the proper cosmic moment.
What was Zhang Heng’s earthquake device, and why was it important?
- Bronze urn – with dragon heads – and – internal mechanical sensors.
- During an earthquake, – a pendulum triggered a ball to drop – from one of eight dragon heads, – indicating the direction of the epicenter.
- Devices – were placed in every city – for early warning – and – communication across the empire.
- Earthquakes were – devastating and – seen as omens.
- Helped the Imperial Court – Respond Quickly – and Send Aid.
What was Agora?
The Agora – provided a public space – for free debate – and – exchange of ideas, – which reduced political – and – religious restrictions – on intellectual discussion.
Why is Ancient Greece considered the birthplace of formalized logic, and what role did the Agora play?
- Greece – shifted from – Descriptive Reasoning – to Deductive Reasoning, – leading to philosophy, logic, mathematics, and early scientific methods.
- Unlike earlier cultures, – Greeks sought Universal Laws, — not just empirical descriptions tied to state or religion.
- Agora: provided a public space – for free debate – and – exchange of ideas, – which reduced political – and – religious restrictions – on intellectual discussion.
- Allowed freedom of speech and thought, reducing political control.
- Enabled people to challenge norms and explore ideas (e.g., Sophists).
- Government began moving away from rigid hierarchies, creating space for innovation.
How did the openness of the Agora in ancient Greece reduce restrictions on intellectual discussion?
The Agora – provided a public space – for free debate – and – exchange of ideas, – which reduced political – and – religious restrictions – on intellectual discussion.
How did the Agora encourage critical thinking in ancient Greece?
The openness – of AGORA – encouraged Critical Thinking – and – Chhallenging of Traditional Beliefs, — leading to advances in philosophy, formal logic, and the pursuit of universal laws beyond mere observation.
What role did the Agora play in the shift from descriptive knowledge to deductive reasoning?
The Agora’s open environment – helped transition society – from relying solely – on Descriptive Knowledge – to using Deductive Reasoning, – which laid the foundation for scientific inquiry.
Explain how the openness of the Agora in ancient Greece contributed to the development of philosophy and early scientific thinking. Provide two specific impacts.
–100% EXAM question - short answer
- The Agora – provided a public space – for free debate – and – exchange of ideas, – which reduced political – and – religious restrictions – on intellectual discussion.
- This openness – encouraged Critical Thinking – and – Chhallenging of Traditional Beliefs, — leading to advances in philosophy, formal logic, and the pursuit of universal laws beyond mere observation.
- It helped transition society – from relying solely – on Descriptive Knowledge – to using Deductive Reasoning, – which laid the foundation for scientific inquiry.
Why was the identification of universal laws through math and logic transformative for human thought?
It suggested that the universe operates – according to consistent, discoverable rules, – meaning that – understanding these laws – would allow us to – understand everything.
What was Plato’s belief about the material world and knowledge?
Plato believed – the material world was deceptive, – and true knowledge – came from understanding – rational Ideas through reason.
How did Aristotle’s approach differ from Plato’s?
Aristotle combined – Observation and Deduction, – structuring knowledge into Formal Logic.
How did Greek thinkers shift their questions during this period?
They began to ask – “WHY” things happen, – NOT just “WHAT” happens, –aiming to understand Causes and Principles – behind Natural Phenomena.
Why was the predictability of mathematics seen as a big breakthrough?
Because mathematical principles applied universally, – it suggested – that natural laws are consistent everywhere, – inspiring the search for universal truths.
What eventual limitation arose from the Greek pursuit of universal laws?
The belief emerged – that once universal laws were found, – everything about the universe was understood, – leading to overconfidence – and – the need to later sub-categorize knowledge.
What subjects made up the Trivium in ancient Greek education?
Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric — aimed at training –the mind – in structured reasoning – and – clear communication.
