Epistemic Elements - Theories and Methods (Sebastien-2017)
This is an answer to the question Epistemic Elements that states "The two classes of elements that can undergo scientific change are accepted theories - both descriptive and normative - and employed methods."
This version of Epistemic Elements - Theories and Methods was formulated by Zoe Sebastien in 2017.1
Contents
Scientonomic History
In Barseghyan's original ontology of epistemic elements, only descriptive theories and employed methods were considered part of the process of scientific change. Normative theories were excluded from the ontology for their introduction appeared to be resulting in a destructive paradox. With the solution of the paradox by Sebastien, it became possible to introduce normative propositions as elements of the ontology of scientific change.
Acceptance Record
Community | Accepted From | Acceptance Indicators | Still Accepted | Accepted Until | Rejection Indicators |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scientonomy | 15 February 2017 | The ontology became accepted as a result of the acceptance of the respective suggested modification. | No | 26 September 2018 | The ontology became rejected when it was replaced by Epistemic Elements - Theories Methods and Questions (Rawleigh-2018). |
Suggestions To Accept
Modification | Community | Date Suggested | Summary | Verdict | Verdict Rationale | Date Assessed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sciento-2017-0002 | Scientonomy | 23 January 2017 | Accept a new ontology of scientific change where the two fundamental elements are theories - both descriptive and normative - and methods. | Accepted | The community has agreed that after the solution of the paradox of normative propositions, there are no obstacles for including normative propositions into the ontology of scientific change.c1 c2 c3 It was also agreed that including normative propositions into the ontology of scientific change "would allow us to grasp the role that methodological and ethical rules play in science".c4 | 15 February 2017 |
Suggestions To Reject
Modification | Community | Date Suggested | Summary | Verdict | Verdict Rationale | Date Assessed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sciento-2018-0002 | Scientonomy | 12 May 2018 | Accept the ontology of epistemic elements with theories, methods, and questions as distinct epistemic elements. | Accepted | Following several focused discussions - both in-person and on the discussion page of this modification - it was finally decided that the modification is to be accepted. Three important clarifications were made. First, it was noted that Rawleigh only shows that questions cannot be reduced either to methods or to theories, but it is still conceivable "that questions may be functions of both theories and methods simultaneously".c1 Second, it was decided that accepting the modification is still warranted, since currently we don't have any idea how questions could be reduced to a conjunction of theories and methods.c2 Third, scientonomists are actively encouraged to pursue the question of possibility of reducing questions to a conjunction of theories and methods.c3 | 26 September 2018 |
Question Answered
Epistemic Elements - Theories and Methods (Sebastien-2017) is an attempt to answer the following question: What are the fundamental epistemic elements that undergo scientific change?
See Epistemic Elements for more details.
Description
This formulation introduces normative theories (e.g. those of ethics or methodology) into the ontology of scientific change. Thus, all the laws and theorems that concern theories apply not only to descriptive theories but also to normative theories.
Reasons
No reasons are indicated for this theory.
If a reason supporting this theory is missing, please add it here.
Questions About This Theory
There are no higher-order questions concerning this theory.
If a question about this theory is missing, please add it here.
References
- ^ Sebastien, Zoe. (2016) The Status of Normative Propositions in the Theory of Scientific Change. Scientonomy 1, 1-9. Retrieved from https://www.scientojournal.com/index.php/scientonomy/article/view/26947.