Lecture 3

Question 1

What are the two interactive methods used to study our world?

Answer 1

The two interactive methods are Philosophy and Science.

Question 2

What is the objective shared by both Philosophy and Science?

Answer 2

Both aim to understand and acquire knowledge about the world.

Question 3

Define Philosophy

Answer 3

“love of wisdom,

Question 4

Define Science

Answer 4

the pursuit “to know.”

Question 5

What distinguishes the epistemologies of Philosophy and Science?

Answer 5

Philosophy primarily employs deductive reasoning, whereas Science primarily employs inductive reasoning.

Question 6

What role does Science play in relation to Philosophy?

Answer 6

Science is often considered the fodder of Philosophy.

Question 7

How does Science differ from Philosophy regarding the definition of values?

Answer 7

Science typically does not tend to define values.

Question 8

What is considered the highest scientific value?

Answer 8

The objectivity of observation is considered the highest scientific value.

Question 9

What is the highest scientific goal according to the provided information?

Answer 9

The highest scientific goal is the revelation (not evaluation) of knowledge.

Question 10

How does Science approach its study, according to the information given?

Answer 10

Science employs a reductionistic process, studying parts or pieces.

Question 11

What capability does Science possess regarding philosophic models?

Answer 11

Science has the capability to confirm or disprove philosophic models.

Question 12

How is Philosophy defined as a discipline?

Answer 12

Philosophy is defined as the study of the laws and causes underlying reality, which leads to an understanding of its fundamental nature.

Question 13

What fundamental question does Philosophy often ask?

Answer 13

Philosophy often asks “Why?”

Question 14

What role does Philosophy play in terms of knowledge?

Answer 14

Philosophy judges the value or worth of knowledge.

Question 15

How does Philosophy justify human actions?

Answer 15

Philosophy justifies the value of human actions.

Question 16

How is Philosophy described in relation to Science?

Answer 16

Philosophy is described as the mother of Science.

Question 17

What is meant by the phrase “Synthesis of knowledge into wisdom”?

Answer 17

It means Philosophy involves integrating knowledge to attain wisdom.

Question 18

How does Philosophy interact with Science?

Answer 18

Philosophy progresses alongside science and raises questions to be explored by the scientific method.

Question 19

What capability does Philosophy possess regarding knowledge?

Answer 19

Philosophy can produce value judgments about knowledge

Question 20

How does scientific knowledge affect Philosophy?

Answer 20

Scientific knowledge can expand, challenge, redirect, or even negate philosophical ideas because Philosophy is based on what we know, and scientific knowledge continuously evolves.

Question 21

What influences the questions asked in science according to the provided information?

Answer 21

The questions asked in science and what is done with the answers are primarily driven by our philosophic models and the values they create.

Question 22

What type of reasoning does Scientific Methodology primarily employ?

Answer 22

primarily employs inductive reasoning.

Question 23

Define induction based on the provided information.

Answer 23

Induction, derived from “to pull into,” involves deriving meaningful conclusions from specific experiences through comparative logic.

Question 24

What is the basis for induction in Scientific Methodology?

Answer 24

based on accurate, measurable observations.

Question 25

How is the process of induction described in terms of reasoning?

Answer 25

The process of induction involves reasoning from a part to a whole, from particulars to generals, or from the individual to the universal.

Question 26

How is the logic of induction described in relation to direction?

Answer 26

The logic of induction is described as "bottom-up" or "below up" logic.

Question 27

Inductive reasoning types

Answer 27

Informal Formal

Question 28

Formal Inductive Reasoning

Answer 28

(Scientific/Experimental Method): Creates controlled experiences (experiments). Collects specific observations (data). Applies inductive logic (statistical analysis). Conclusion based on data and inductive logic.

Question 29

Informal Inductive Reasoning

Answer 29

Learns from personal observation. Recognizes patterns of similarity. Not formal or controlled, lacks rigor.

Question 30

Steps of Inductive Reason : Scientific Method Steps

Answer 30

1. Hypothesis: The question being explored. Experiment: 2. Controlled, formalized experience that must be well described and replicable. 3. Analysis: Statistical analysis of comparison between control and variable data. 4. Conclusions: Not certain, tend to support or negate the hypothesis.

Question 31

Inductive Reasoning Strengths

Answer 31

*Relevance * Conclusions always related to reality (data-driven) * Self-correcting * Further observation will test prior conclusions * Very knowledge expansive

Question 32

Inductive Reasoning Weaknesses

Answer 32

*Incompleteness of data - The “black swan problem” * Inductive materialism: “If you can’t measure it, you can’t reason scientifically about it.” * Validity of inductive logic * Not as well formalised as deductive logic * Uncertainty of conclusions * May not provide basis for confident action

Question 33

There are three MAJOR short comings when Inductive reasoning is solely used with living things

Answer 33

1.It assumes all livings things are the same 2.Comes to false conclusions 3.The whole is NOT equal to the sum of its parts

Question 34

What type of reasoning is employed in Philosophic Methodology?

Answer 34

Deductive reasoning

Question 35

Define deduction based on the provided information.

Answer 35

Deduction involves deriving meaningful conclusions from general principles through logical reasoning.

Question 36

How is deduction described in terms of logic direction?

Answer 36

Deduction is characterized by "top-down" or "above down" logic.

Question 37

What is the process of deduction from general principles to specific instances called?

Answer 37

The process of deduction involves reasoning from the general principle to the specific.

Question 38

What is the basis for deduction in Philosophic Methodology?

Answer 38

based on assumptions accepted as true.

Question 39

What is deductive reasoning?

Answer 39

Deductive reasoning involves the conclusion necessarily following from a full understanding of given data or proposition.

Question 40

What is a premise in deductive reasoning?

Answer 40

A premise in deductive reasoning is a proposition upon which an argument is based, including reasons and evidence for a conclusion.

Question 41

Explain a syllogism.

Answer 41

A syllogism is an argument consisting of two premises (major and minor) and a logical conclusion drawn from them.

Question 42

Steps in a syllogism include:

Answer 42

1. Major Premise: an unproven assumption, typically a broad topic. 2. Minor Premise: another assumption or fact within the scope of the major premise. 3. Logical Reasoning: the art of necessarily correct reasoning. 4.Conclusion: a new understanding deduced from prior knowledge (premises).

Question 43

Example

Answer 43

All mammals are warm blooded [major premise]. Whales are mammals [minor premise]. Therefore, all whales are warm blooded [conclusion]. All books from that store are new. These books are from that store. Therefore, these books are new. All humans have the capacity to heal themselves. You are a human being. You have the capacity to heal yourself.

Question 44

What are the strengths of deductive reasoning?

Answer 44

Deductive reasoning can produce logically valid, true conclusions that extend beyond the limits of science. It allows us to reason beyond our direct experience, dealing with immeasurable, immaterial, subjective, and unique concepts. It provides certainty or confidence in our conclusions, influencing our willingness to act.

Question 45

What are the weaknesses of deductive reasoning?

Answer 45

The quality of premises is crucial; false premises lead to uncertain conclusions. The validity of logic must be ensured; errors can result in false conclusions from true premises or true conclusions from false premises (syllogistic fallacy). Deductive reasoning is not self-testing; conclusions require testing against reality through induction.

Question 46

Clear Thinking Foundation:

Answer 46

Intellectual discipline and sound premises based on observed facts.

Question 47

Two Essential Processes:

Answer 47

Induction: Drawing general conclusions from specific examples. Deduction: Applying general principles to solve specific problems.

Question 48

Avoiding Logical Contradictions:

Answer 48

Thinking in an integrated way, synthesizing various perspectives and ideas.