Sunday, August 30, 2009

Day Two

Today we discussed the scientific method as an iterative process. Rather than grinding out answers mechanically, the scientific method grinds out experimental results, from which we may infer the answers. Was our initial claim correct? Does that indicate anything about our hypothesis and it's underlying structure? Was there anything we assumed? Most importantly, does any of that affect the possible Truth of my claims? Deciding we needed a better understanding of these things, we called in the big guns, Popper, Kuhn, Lakatos, et al for next time.

We also mentioned the differences between a hypothesis and a theory, and studied the long and winding road the former travels to become the latter.

Addendum: The analyses of the in-class poem were reviewed and discussed. Excerpts and commentary will be posted soon.

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