Atheists, how many of you have studied the philosophy of science?

Question

The philosophy of science includes a consideration of the following topics:

* The character and the development of concepts and terms, propositions and hypotheses, arguments and conclusions, as they function in science.

* The manner in which science explains natural phenomena and predicts natural occurrences.

* The types of reasoning that are used to arrive at scientific conclusions.

* The formulation, scope, and limits of scientific method.

* The means that should be used for determining the validity of scientific information, in other words, the question of objectivity.

* The implications of scientific methods and models, along with the technology that arises from scientific knowledge, for the larger society.

DuffMuff, for the record Kuhn was a historian of science. His work had philosophical implications, but, no, he wasn't mixing philosophy with science. Second, many, probably half, of the greatest contributors to Philosophy of Science were scientists (e.g. Popper).

Answer 1

I cut my teeth on Thomas Kuhn, and the fascination has stayed with me ever since.

Answer 2

"I wasn't aware that science was a philosophy, but rather, nearly the opposite. Perhaps you would like to explain what you mean?"

Science isn't a philosophy, but a certain branch of philosophy is called "philosophy of science."

Another way to cast doubt in facts... It pirates the word "science" but should actually be called something along the lines of "How certain philosophies(creationism), and Science clash."

The problem is science has it's own form of logic, 2+2=4, where as philosophy has another....2+2=4 but it may not = 4 in the future. Scientist don't need premises to conclude 2+2=4, they just know it. To make a philosophical conclusion you need logical premises.

It's two different schools of thought, and the ones like Kuhn are just spinning wheels trying to combine the two. Yes, it brings up interesting topics of discussion, but in the end it gets nobody anywhere. After all it's just philosophy.

Edit: thanks JAT for reminding me of Kuhn.

Answer 3

Actually we aren't all sciency types...I'm artistic rather then the math/science type. ALTHOUGH I think science is more right about things then religion and I do find some information I read in regard to science interesting.

Answer 4

I wasn't aware that science was a philosophy, but rather, nearly the opposite. Perhaps you would like to explain what you mean?

Answer 5

Not sure as an overall, but I have studied science and philosophy. Why do you ask?

Answer 6

I do. I also study religions, history, and Marketing, which is what religion falls under.

Answer 7

What's your point?