238 - Barry Loewer: What Is The Philosophy of Science?
Dec 15, 2024
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Barry Loewer, a Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Rutgers, returns to discuss the philosophy of science. He highlights the critical distinction between science and pseudoscience, exploring Karl Popper's falsification criteria. The conversation dives into the contentious nature of string theory and scientific realism, debating whether it's pseudoscience. Additionally, topics such as Marxism's philosophical impacts and the interplay between metaphysics and scientific inquiry are examined, prompting listeners to rethink the foundations of modern science.
Philosophy of science critically distinguishes between demonstrable scientific practices and pseudoscience, enhancing the integrity of scientific inquiry.
The debate on scientific realism versus anti-realism challenges notions of whether scientific theories reveal true aspects of reality or simply serve predictive purposes.
Concepts of probability within scientific contexts reveal philosophical tensions between frequentist and Bayesian interpretations that shape epistemic practices.
The interplay between physics and metaphysics underscores the necessity of grounding metaphysical inquiries in empirical findings to explore fundamental questions about reality.
Deep dives
The Role of Philosophy in Science
The interaction between philosophy and science is foundational to understanding both disciplines. While scientists focus on empirical discoveries, philosophers delve into the nature of science itself, examining what constitutes scientific inquiry. This includes the exploration of foundational questions, such as the definition of science and what scientists ultimately aim to achieve. Philosophers of science, therefore, seek to characterize scientific practices and underlying principles, thus bridging theoretical and philosophical realms.
Understanding Laws of Nature
The concept of laws of nature emerged significantly during the 17th century, introducing the idea that certain mathematical principles govern how the universe operates. Philosophers grapple with the definition and implications of these laws, with some arguing that they stem from divine will, while others view them as mere descriptions of observed regularities. The inquiry into what precisely constitutes a law of nature leads to questions about their relation to scientific theories and empirical observations. By engaging with these foundational debates, philosophers aim to clarify the role and status of laws within the broader framework of scientific understanding.
The Distinction Between Science and Pseudoscience
Defining the boundary between science and pseudoscience is a critical issue in the philosophy of science. At its core, scientific practice involves creating testable hypotheses that can be empirically validated or falsified, while pseudoscience often lacks this rigor. Historical and contemporary examples, such as astrology or certain psychological theories, illustrate how pseudoscientific claims can masquerade as credible science. This distinction is vital for maintaining the integrity of scientific inquiry and understanding the methodologies that underpin genuine scientific advancement.
The Nature of Probability
Probability serves as a crucial framework for understanding uncertainty in scientific contexts, yet its interpretation is a significant philosophical challenge. Two prevalent views on probability are the frequentist, which interprets probabilities as long-term frequencies of events, and the Bayesian, which treats them as degrees of belief given specific evidence. This debate reflects deeper philosophical inquiries into the nature of knowledge, inference, and rationality in both science and everyday reasoning. By examining how probability is utilized across various scientific domains, philosophers aim to uncover its role in shaping conclusions and guiding epistemic practices.
Exploring Scientific Realism and Anti-Realism
The debate between scientific realism and anti-realism focuses on the extent to which scientific theories accurately describe the nature of the world. Realists assert that scientific theories provide true accounts of unobservable entities and structures, positing that successful scientific practice must relate to a mind-independent reality. Conversely, anti-realists argue that theories are merely useful instruments for prediction and do not necessarily reflect underlying truths. This ongoing discourse challenges philosophers to confront issues of ontology and the implications of scientific success for our understanding of reality.
The Philosophical Implications of Time
Time presents a multifaceted topic within both science and philosophy, involving inquiries into its nature, flow, and implications for causation and free will. Philosophers have debated whether time is an objective feature of the world or primarily a human construct and how this perspective influences our understanding of events and their interrelations. This discussion encompasses concepts like temporal asymmetry and the implications for scientific theories that incorporate time as a fundamental dimension. By analyzing various philosophical positions on time, scholars aim to uncover its implications for scientific theories and our understanding of the universe.
The Intersection of Physics and Metaphysics
The relationship between physics and metaphysics is increasingly recognized as vital in addressing profound questions about the nature of reality. Philosophers argue that understanding the frameworks of physics is essential to engage with metaphysical concepts effectively, such as causation, laws, and the nature of existence. As physics advances, particularly in areas like quantum mechanics and cosmology, metaphysical inquiries must adapt to incorporate new findings and implications. This evolving dialogue aims to ensure that metaphysical explorations remain grounded in empirical insights, fostering a richer understanding of both disciplines.
Barry Loewer is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Rutgers. Before that he did his PhD in philosophy at Stanford. Barry works largely in the philosophy of physics, the philosophy of science, and metaphysics. This is Barry’s third appearance on the show. He was last on episode 189 with David Albert, in which Robinson, David, and Barry discussed David and Barry’s joint program known as “The Mentaculus”, which they use to solve many problems in the foundations of physics, from probability to the direction of time. In this episode, Barry and Robinson discuss the philosophical foundations of science, touching on the relationship between science and pseudoscience, Karl Popper, string theory, scientific realism, and many other important debates and figures. If you’re interested in the foundations of physics, then please check out the the John Bell Institute for the Foundations of Physics, which is devoted to providing a home for research and education in this important area. Any donations are immensely helpful at this early stage in the institute’s life.
The Probability Map of the Universe: https://a.co/d/4XoYTMY
The John Bell Institute: https://www.johnbellinstitute.org
OUTLINE
00:00 Introduction
7:53 On Pseudoscience and Astrology
11:40 Falsification as a Criterion of Science
16:40 Is String Theory Pseudoscience?
20:14 On Marxism
24:45 What Is Scientific Realism?
34:35 On Hilary Putnam
42:16 Science Vs Metaphysics
48:32 Time in Science and Metaphysics
52:38 On Fundamentalia
56:01 On Reductionism
1:00:04 On Consciousness and Emergence
1:04:56 On Causation
1:25:52 On Time Travel
1:28:29 On Explanation and Thermodynamics
1:39:23 On Free Will
1:47:00 The Laws of Nature
Robinson’s Website: http://robinsonerhardt.com
Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University.
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