Psychology Dictionary of ArgumentsHome
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| Theories: theories are statement systems for the explanation of observations, e.g. of behavior or physical, chemical or biological processes. When setting up theories, a subject domain, a vocabulary of the terms to be used and admissible methods of observation are defined. In addition to explanations, the goal of the theory formation is the predictability and comparability of observations. See also systems, models, experiments, observation, observation language, theoretical terms, theoretical entities, predictions, analogies, comparisons, evidence, verification, reduction, definitions, definability._____________Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments. | |||
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Gerhard Schurz on Theories - Dictionary of Arguments
I 176 Theory/Science/Schurz: Ex A good scientific theory must have 1. have system character and verification holism, 2. distinction between axioms and the consequences derived from them. 3. within axioms, a gradual distinction between the core of the theory and its periphery. >Holism, >Verification, >Review, >Periphery, >Axioms, >System, >Theorems. I 179 Theory association: physical theories organize themselves in the form of hierarchical theory associations. Core laws: are at the top. >Physics, >Laws of nature, >Assignment. I 184 Theory/Schurz: A theory can be divided into components in three ways: 1. with respect to language: comprise. Theoretical total language, subsystem: empirical (resp. pre-theoretical) which contains only empirical terms of T besides the logical mathematical ones. 2. with respect to the logical nature of the propositions of T: difference: axioms, and logical (resp. probabilistic) consequences. 3. with respect to the conceptual nature of the propositions: Difference: purely theoretical laws (contain only theoretical terms in addition to logically mathematical ones; I 185 Mixed propositions: contain also empirical Empirical consequences: contain empirical and logically mathematical terms. Assignment laws: are a part of mixed propositions. 4. regarding epistemic status of sentences of T: gradual difference core/periphery. Core/core axioms/Schurz: define the historical identity of the theory. If you change them, you get a different theory. Periphery: peripheral hypotheses characterize the current version of the theory._____________Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition. |
Schu I G. Schurz Einführung in die Wissenschaftstheorie Darmstadt 2006 |
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