EST 202 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Monism, Reductionism, Statistical Hypothesis Testing

• School: Stony Brook University
• Department: Technology and Society
• Course: EST 202
• Professor: David Tonjes

Document Summary

Science: means of acquiring testable knowledge results not dependent on the tester. There is no certainty, and what is true today may not be valid tomorrow. Theories: approximation of truth, have a domain of validity: p(cid:396)o(cid:448)ing a theo(cid:396)y (cid:862)(cid:449)(cid:396)ong(cid:863) (cid:894)if theo(cid:396)y p(cid:396)ope(cid:396)ly gene(cid:396)ated(cid:895): find a pa(cid:396)t of the data set (cid:449)he(cid:396)e theo(cid:396)y doesn"t (cid:449)o(cid:396)k. Science: rational process of in(cid:395)ui(cid:396)y (cid:271)ased in o(cid:271)se(cid:396)(cid:448)ation (cid:862)p(cid:396)o(cid:272)ess(cid:863) not (cid:396)esults. Science is replicable: results not dependent on particular observer(s) Science often uses refutation: corroboration of theories often not possible; instead, prove competing hypothesis. Science is reductionist: usually looks at parts of large systems, understanding through analysis, synthesis of all of the parts often difficult, cross-disciplinary, measurements not compatible. Sensory information has a basis in reality: determinism. Phenomena are the result of cause and effect processes: monism. Mind (thought) is inseparable from body (the natural world): no separate spiritual world: scientific method. Science proceeds by accretion: accumulation of facts/observations, small incremental changes in theory.