PHIL100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 18: Metaphysical Naturalism, Retrodiction
8 Nov 2017
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N1: every fact in the universe is a physical fact, explained by science. N2: scientific inquiry is in principle the only reliable source of knowledge or understanding. if science cannot answer => meaningless. Science: the use of evidence to construct testable explanations and measurable predictions of natural phenomena, as well as the knowledge generated through this process . Retrodiction: checking if the result was obtained, looking towards the past. Abduction: thing you cannot see: good reason to believe x occurs, x requires y, reason to think y occurs. Difference between good and bad? no moral difference. Must understand methodological naturalism: the working hypothesis that nature is a closed system(cannot go outside natural phenomena) and investigation can yield results. When theology is introduced into science it corrupts science methodological naturalism is vital for successful science. Pos argument: contemporary science assumes methodological naturalism, contemporary science is enormously successful, methodological naturalism is useful, no need of hypothesis to support contemporary science.
