3 Matching Annotations
- Mar 2019
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plato.stanford.edu plato.stanford.edu
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such as scope, simplicity, fruitfulness, accuracy
Theories can be measured according to multiple metrics. The current default appears to be predictive accuracy, but this lists others, such as scope. If theory A predicts better but narrower and theory B predicts worse (in A's domain) but much more broadly, which is a better theory?
Others might be related to simplicity and whatnot. For example, if a theory is numerical but not explanatory (such as scaling laws or the results of statistical fitting) this theory might be useful but not satisfying.
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Like in evolution, the process does not change toward some fixed goal according to some fixed rules, methods or standards, but rather it changes away from the pressures exerted by anomalies on the reigning theory (Kuhn 1962, 170–173). The process of scientific change is eliminative and permissive rather than instructive.
This is similar to evolution: not guided, but not random. Does this view contradict the idea of progression?
It also suggests a complex dynamic system that possess path dependence and environmental interaction.
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- Feb 2019