A ciência nasce da experimentação? | O que é ciência afinal? 01

Summary

In this video, Pontes discusses the complexity of understanding how science works, challenging the oversimplified notion that science is just about observing reality and collecting facts. Drawing from Alan Chalmers' work in the philosophy of science, Pontes critiques the inductivist approach, which assumes that repeated observations lead to universal laws. He highlights the flaws in relying on induction or probability to make universal claims and emphasizes that scientific observations are always theory-guided. The video sets the stage for a deeper exploration of different philosophical views on science throughout a series of videos.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video challenges the common belief that science is simply about experiments revealing objective truths about reality.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes that explaining how science works is complex and often misunderstood, requiring an exploration of different philosophical perspectives.
• 😀 One of the earliest attempts to explain science was by Francis Bacon in the 17th century, who introduced a method involving observation and data collection to form scientific theories.
• 😀 Positivism, as discussed, asserts that scientific knowledge comes from induction, where rigorous observation and experimentation lead to universal laws.
• 😀 The script discusses the problem of moving from finite observations to universal laws and how induction doesn't guarantee this transition.
• 😀 Inductive reasoning, as explained, lacks logical certainty, meaning observing a few instances (e.g., black crows) doesn't prove all crows are black.
• 😀 When relying on probability, inductivists argue that a large number of observations makes universal laws 'likely' true, but this is mathematically problematic since probability with finite data can't justify universal statements.
• 😀 The video also critiques the idea that science starts with pure observation, as all observations are shaped by existing theories and knowledge.
• 😀 For example, the description of a fossil requires prior knowledge in biology and geology, not just raw observation, illustrating how science is theory-driven.
• 😀 Chalmers argues that inductivism is increasingly inadequate to explain science, and more recent approaches are needed to understand its nature.

Q & A

What is the common interpretation of how science works that the video challenges?

The video challenges the interpretation that science works simply by using experiments to observe reality, and that these experiments always provide objective truths about the world.

Who first defined the scientific method as the observation of reality and the collection of facts?

Francis Bacon defined this scientific method in the 17th century.

What philosophical movement emerged from Bacon's ideas and who are its key proponents?

The philosophical movement known as empiricism, and more specifically logical positivism, emerged from Bacon's ideas. It was later developed by figures like Auguste Comte and members of the Vienna Circle.

What is the principle of induction in scientific reasoning, as discussed in the video?

Induction is the principle that a large number of observations of similar phenomena can lead to the creation of universal laws or theories. It assumes that repeated observations under various conditions will reliably reveal truths about the universe.

What is the issue with using induction to create universal laws based on finite observations?

The problem with induction is that it cannot logically guarantee that future observations will match past ones. Observing a limited number of instances cannot conclusively prove a universal law, as the next observation could potentially contradict the conclusion.

How do logical positivists address the problem of induction using probability?

Logical positivists try to solve the problem of induction by appealing to probability. They argue that while individual observations might not prove a universal law, a large number of observations could show that the law is 'probably' true. However, this approach faces the problem that any probability calculated from finite data approaches zero as the number of observations approaches infinity.

Why is the idea that science begins with pure observation incorrect?

This idea is incorrect because all observations are influenced by prior theories and knowledge. Observations are not made in a vacuum; they are guided by existing theoretical frameworks, which shape the way we interpret data.

How does the video challenge the notion that science is free from assumptions?

The video highlights that all observations are theory-laden. For instance, the discovery of fossils relies not just on direct observation but on the application of theories from biology and geology to interpret those observations correctly.

What does the video suggest about the evolution of scientific theories over time?

The video suggests that scientific theories are never perfect and are always subject to revision as new data and perspectives emerge. For example, our understanding of fossils has changed over time, from being seen as naturally occurring crystals to being understood as the remains of ancient life forms.

What does Chalmers say about the limitations of inductivism in understanding science?

Chalmers argues that inductivism fails to adequately explain the nature of science, as it does not effectively address the problem of how to derive universal laws from finite observations. He believes that inductivism should be abandoned in favor of more modern approaches to understanding scientific inquiry.