Philosophy Essay: Reflections on Scientific Reasoning and Method

This essay provides a reflection on the scientific method, drawing from Alan Chalmers' "What is This Thing Called Science?" The essay explores the core concepts of science, including the justification of hypotheses, laws, and theories through evidence. It delves into the nature of scientific reasoning, contrasting rational and irrational decision-making, and examining the relationship between science and inductive reasoning. The author analyzes the difference between theory and law, the role of inductive reasoning, and the development of scientific knowledge. The essay also discusses the concepts of fallibilism, inductive inference, and the challenges associated with induction, including the views of Karl Popper. The student provides an analysis of scientific knowledge as proven knowledge and highlights the creative process involved in the discovery of scientific hypotheses. The essay concludes by summarizing the key points and reflecting on the discussed topics.

Philosophy essay:
“REFLECTIONS ON
SCIENTIFIC METHOD”

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION
Science is the method of thinking critically about empirical world using evidence which
tries to justify the hypothesis, laws and theories. In this context, the following essay will reflect
upon Chapter 7, How Scientific Reasoning Work of book written by Alan Chalmers “What is
This Thing Called Science?”. The various methods used in science of thinking will be reflected
in brief in a succinct manner so that comprehensive understanding can be formulated. Common
views on sciences and scientific knowledge will be addressed in this study.
MAIN BODY
In the chapter 7 of book, I found that author created a hypothesis on “No rational person
can deny human induced global warming”. In this concern, author focuses on how individuals
make decisions (Chalmers, 2013). Decisions formed by individuals are either rational or
irrational. It means that some people make decisions with regard to scientific evidence while
some make judgement on the basis of hunch and gut feeling. I have analysed the definition
provided by authors of science. They elucidated that science is not a body of facts. They claim
that science is the perception about empirical work by using evidence which justify the
hypothesis. In order to justify hypothesis, authors have proposed that due to the reason that
humans exhale carbon dioxide which increases the level of greenhouse gases in atmosphere, it
affects retaining the heat capacity of atmosphere and thus, leads to create climate warmer
(Bishop, 1996).
I have assessed that authors proposed that science is based on various hypothesis, laws
and theories. Such theories include electromagnetic theory, evolutionary theory and so on.
Researcher explains hypothesis in explicit manner. They said that it is a claim which is used to
predict or elaborate some particular phenomenon or event. I identified in the chapter that authors
have explicitly explains the difference between theory and law. Authors said that people misuse
the term theory and laws in different manners. They jot that individual sometimes conclude
theory as mere guess or speculation which lacks robust evidence (Woozley, 2016). People
sometimes refers law as general regularity in nature that has been proven with strong evidence. I
have focused on the concept named “scientific method” which was concentrated by the authors
in this chapter. They have proposed that scientific method is the rational method which provides
way of justifying hypotheses, laws and theories.
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I have identified that authors have described the relationship between science and
inductive reasoning. Scientific method is refers to the science that embarks with specific
observation of natural phenomena. From the findings I have identified that inductive reasoning is
the idea that constantly occurs by chance. In order to elaborate this authors have provided
example of lunar eclipse and other phenomenon which concerns light. In this reference an
individual infers general principle of laws for example light travels in straight line. I have found
that induction is the crucial process which used to arrive at laws. I have examine the chapter in
effective and efficient manner and came to conclusion that author have explicitly explains the
relationship between science and inductive reasoning (Johnston and Burton, 2017). Inductivists
models of scientific thinking claim scientific laws are justified by induction from observation of
particular phenomenon.
I have identified that author talk about mathematical model of Renaissance development.
It helps in development of tools like telescope, microscope and accurate clocks, etc. In this
context I have analysed how the model used by the scientists and researcher for comprehending
theories and laws associated with mathematics. In the Renaissance, the development and
innovation of technology aid in enhancing more active experimentation which emphasis on the
pursuit of observational evidence. In this context, I have found that author has critically
examined the theories and laws associated with the development of technological instruments. I
have found that author have described scientific knowledge as the proven knowledge. The
theories of science are formulated by some rigorous method from the fact of experience that
obtain through observation and experiment.
I have identified that the discovery of scientific hypotheses is a process which is
completely different from justification. It is considered as the creative process that infuse science
with subjectivity. The author had discussed the aspect of inductive inference and fallibilism.
Inductive inference refers to all instances of certain class that assembles the observed instance in
particular ways. Author have explicitly explained about the observational statements and
universal statement which are statements which refer to all events of specific kind at any place
and time. With the help of comprehensible examples author have described the inductive
inference which helps in enhancing the level of understanding. In this context, I have observed
that notion of fallibilism totally relied on inductive proof. Author have explained the problem
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associated with induction. Author have explicitly explained the concepts of Priori Knowledge
and A posteriori knowledge.
Author have explained about the principle of inducting. He stated that knowledge divides
into the priori and the posteriori. It is difficult to justify induction. Perhaps, one can justify the
induction principle a posteriori. I have consider the analogy of induction and scientific theory
which helps me in comprehending the aspect of book which was jotted by the author. The
various scientific theories, hypotheses, laws which are derived from an individual perspective
has been discussed by the author. I have reviews on Popperian Science which was derived by the
philosopher of science Karl Popper who thought that induction was unjustifiable. Author have
elucidated about inductive proof vs falsification. He stated that laws are not justified by being
proved by the data rather than they are justified by being not disproved by data.
CONCLUSION
In the above essay, I have discussed chapter 7 of book written by Alan Chalmers “What
is This Thing Called Science?”. I have analysed the definition provided by the authors of
science. They elucidated that science is not a body of facts. They claim that science is the
perception about empirical work by using evidence which justify the hypothesis. I have consider
the analogy of induction and scientific theory which helps me in comprehending the aspect of
book which was jotted by the author.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bishop, M., 1996. What is this thing called Science?. Teaching Philosophy, 19(2), pp.204-206.
Chalmers, A.F., 2013. What is this thing called science?. Hackett Publishing.
Johnston, L. and Burton, G., 2017. What is this thing called workforce development? A Scottish
perspective. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, 24(6), pp.455-460.
Woozley, A.D., 2016. Theory of Knowledge: an introduction.
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