MAN (TFN)

1. History and Philosophy of
Science
Alfred Roy P. Manuzon, RN

2. Content
• Rationalism
• Empiricism
• Science and Theory in the
Early 20th Century
• Science and Theory in the
Late 20th Century

3. Rationalism
• Power of reason
• Emphasizes the importance of priori
reasoning as the appropriate method in
advancing knowledge
• Theory-then-research strategy
• Develop a systematic explanation (theory)
of a given phenomenon then subject this to
experiments

4. Empiricism
• Power or sensory experience
• Scientific truth was discovered through
generalizing observed facts in the natural
world.
• Collection of facts precedes attempts to
formulate generalizations
• Research-then-theory strategy

5. Science and Theory in the Early 20th Century
• Philosophers focused on the analysis of
theory structure
• Scientists focused on empirical research
• Minimal interest in the history of
science, nature of scientific discover, or the
similarities between the philosophical views
of science and the scientific methods
• Positivism emerged as dominant view of
science

6. Positivism
• Logical positivist- empirical research and
logical analysis were two approaches that
would produce scientific knowledge.
• Theories must be tested through
observation and experimentation
• Empirical facts exist independently of
theories and offer the only basis for
objectivity in science

7. Science and Theory in the Late 20th Century
• Empirical knowledge was arranged in different
patterns at a given time, and in a given culture
• Scientists seeking to understand the social world
cannot cognitively know an external world that is
independent of their own life experiences
• Focus on science as a process of continuing
research rather than the emphasis on accepted
findings
• Emphasis was on understanding scientific
discovery and the process involved in changes in
theories over time

8. Science and Theory in the Late 20th Century
• Theories play a significant role in determining
what the scientist will observe and how it will be
interpreted
• Observations are influenced by ideas in the mind
of the observer
• Science is viewed as an ongoing process
• It is a myth that science can establish final truths.
• Tentative consensus based on reasoned
judgements about available evidence is the most
that can be expected

9. End