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Nursing and Philosophy of Science: Connections and Disconnections
Polifroni & Welch
Why did these authors try and set out formal definitions for the terminology to follow?
words mean different things in different disciplines. we need to make sure we’re all using words in the same way. common ground for discussion.
Science can be classified into 3 major categories
pure VS applied law-finding VS fact-finding natural VS social science
Pure science
formal sciences of math/logic – knowledge for knowledge sake
Pure science aims (3)
pursue knowledge attain truth description/explanation/prediction/control
Applied science aims (3)
planning technological progress use of nature/knowledge for practical purposes
Applied science as it relates to nursing
utilize knowledge for a specific aim beyond knowledge development
Applied science was expanded to create?
human science
3 categories of human sciences
practical theoretical a combo of the two
3 characteristics of human sciences
Scientists communicate with their subjects. Scientists do not objectify their subjects. Scientists are part of the social world they study.
Law-finding science
identify universal laws that guide all scientic development and revolutions – applicable everywhere at all times
Fact-finding science
concerned and focused on local events and utilization rather than universality
Natural/Social science (authors clump both together) (3)
based on the subject matter. does not search for universality of facts. grounded in the cultural phenomenon of the event as well as the natural phenomenon itself.
Aims of Science (2)
pursuit of knowledge and attainment of truth description, explanation, prediction and control of events
*Five criteria used to distinguish science from common sense CC RID
Coherence or systematic character Comprehensiveness and scope Reliability Intersubjective testability Definiteness and precision
*Coherence or systematic character
relatedness and wholeness in approach to science – rather than a series of disjointed and unconnected statements
*Comprehensiveness and scope
explains and addresses events and related concerns beyond the issue under study at the present time
*Definiteness and precision
Exactness and rigidity – removes ambiguity and vagueness through finite, measurable and clearly identified statements and beliefs
*Reliability
confirmation of a statement through repeated tests and receipt of the same results/outcome
*Intersubjective testability
the belief that, in principle, the science can be corroborated by anyone
