Is it possible to do experiments without an objective in mind?

Question

In terms of cognitive science

Answer 1

It is called "exploratory research" (or sometimes called a "fishing expedition"). It is possible, but results would be difficult to publish because the empirically-driven scientific community generally frowns upon it.

However, theory-based research can be helpful, especially in the realm of cognition.

Answer 2

I'm going to say yes, only because I don't believe that anyone can be truly objective. Every person comes at science from their own subjective perspective whether it be that of "Christian", "white-guy", "mother" or "scientist."

I used to think scientists were objective, but my fragile illusion was shattered last year when I went to the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association. At the meeting, they voted (as a community of scientists) to be against the War in Iraq and in favor of gay marriage. Their argument was that any objective person would agree with them and anyone who disagreed was just plain wrong.

By looking at the current research, I would have to say that both the question of the War in Iraq and the question of Gay marriage are far from being conclusively "solved" by the social sciences. What the American Sociological Association did was make a judgement based on their values (what ought to be) not on their research (which is far from being conclusive about anything).

So I'm going to have to say that it is possible to do experiments without an objective mind, because humans can never achieve an objective mind, but they can still perform useful experiments anyway.

Answer 3

yes

Answer 4

No. That is not the scientific method.

Answer 5

I'll have to think about it.