Science
Science is a method for learning about the world
Assumes an objective reality
Cause and effect relations
Assumes we do not have direct knowledge of the objective reality
Noumenon - reality
Phenomenon - what we perceive
This is literally meant to be true!!!!!!!
The idea is essentially the same as what was portrayed in, The Matrix
We live in a world generated by our mind (phenomena)
On way to demonstrate this is that we can insert images, music, voices or even smells into
this world using imagination (note there are large individual differences in the abilities to do
these things)
When we interact with the noumenon it seems like we can perceive it directly but this is
because there is usually a close correspondence between noumenon and phenomenon
Anorexia Example
Anorexics see themselves as fat while others see them as too thin, who is right??
For this we can take physical measurements to decide, e.g., we can weigh them and
compare their weight to the weight of other people of the same height and build
Bad hair example
What if someone dislikes their haircut while others think it looks good???
No way to physically measure this, but we can still study it
Logical empiricism
Empiricism
Get data from the world
Observation and measurement
Logical
The use of rules to draw conclusions from facts
Logic
thinking according to rules
any set of rules can make a logical system
rules that produce intelligent conclusions are the ones of interest
Logic provided the oldest cognitive model
use of the rules
take knowledge (knowledge level)
act on it with the rules (cognitive level)
produce new knowledge (knowledge level)
Deduction
When people say logic they usually mean deduction
Combine the
facts
according to the
rules
to get new
truths
Rules - assumed to be true
Usually based on axiom arguments
Axioms - a self evident or universally recognized truth
Facts - assumed to be true
Data - from measurement or observation
Assumptions - things that might plausibly be true
Categorical logic examples
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Inclusion rule - if every A is included in B, then any C included in A is included in B
Everyone who is A is B
Everyone who is C is A
So everyone who is C is B
----------
Everyone who is A is B
At least one person who is C is A
So at least one person who is C is B
Exclusion rule - If no A is included in B, then any C included in A is excluded from B
No one who is A is B
Everyone who is C is A
So no one who is C is B
----------
No one who is A is B
At least one person who is C is A
So at least one person who is C is not B
Propositional logic examples
Affirming the antecedent
If P then Q
P
So Q
Denying the consequent
If P then Q
Not Q
So not P
Syllogism
If P then Q
If Q then R
So if P then R
Disjunctive syllogism
P or Q
Not P
So Q
Are we good at deduction?

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- Spring '10
- Jeff
- ulcers, Evelyn Fox Keller
-
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