A) Give an example of a theory, idea, or metaphor in science and explain how it illustrates
the idea of Instrumentalism.
B) Give a second example of a theory, idea, or metaphor in science and explain how it illustrates the idea of Realism.
C) In light of Thomas Kuhn’s claim that “paradigm shifts” in science are inevitable, are we better off being Instrumentalists, rather than Realists, about our scientific theories?
Response A
An idea or theory that illustrates instrumentalism is Laplace’s Demon, in my opinion. Laplace’s demon was a thought experiment created by Pierre-Simon Laplace in the early 19th century. The idea of this scientific base was that free will is an illusion, and every action previously taken and being taken now is predetermined from the moment the big bang occurred. It describes an intellect that would be able to know all past, present, and future events if this demon knew the positions and velocities of all atoms in the universe.
This concept sounds similar, if not the same, as the omnipotent being known as God. This idea may not provide facts to prove anything, but if this idea is broken down and reapplied, it can answer questions we may have. A few examples are that history does repeat itself, not precisely in a literal sense, but we see similar scenarios that keep reappearing, such as the Buddhists hunting Christians based on beliefs. Eventually, the Christians rose, gained power in Asia, and started the Buddhist hunt. We see this same event occurring with the crusade and many other religions, as if it is preordained.
We also have people in this world known today as autistics. These autistics were not always called autistics, even in science. This name is brand new, only made in the 20th century. An older name is "genius savants." We see a movie such as Rain Man, a film about two diagnoses of autism and savant syndrome. We know a person capable of doing things that could be used to explain Laplace’s demon. The concept of Laplace’s demon may not be able to prove anything, but it can help create new ideas and help explain specific scenarios if we do not take everything in a literal sense. Laplace’s demon can be instrumentalism because it does explain certain things, but it is flawed, just like any other idea or theory. Thanks to Laplace’s Demon, we also have the theory of chaos, which was later created to contradict this demon.
Response B
I believe the Mimetic theory is more of a realist approach. The mimetic theory was created in the 20th century by French anthropologist Rene Girard, who saw human desire as a collective instead of an individual desire. The theory moves through four stages. The first is mimetic desire, which states that when humans cover their basic needs of food, shelter, water, safety, sex, etc., they will move into the realm of desire and covet what others have. We see this today if we pay attention to homeless people. All they want is food, warmth, shelter, and basic needs. If we look back to the stone age or even when humans started to colonize, when humans had the bare necessities, they eventually started wars to take what others have. The first can be proven easily without looking too far and wide for evidence.
The second stage is conflict. Since people desire what others have, they will eventually have conflicts. This has already been seen and can be seen in many ways, even in criminal behaviors. Criminals desire something when they steal. If it’s not necessities, it’s riches. This is a recurrence in all cultures in all history. When humans start conflict, it is to gain something from the opposing side.
The third stage is scapegoating when mimetic contagion spreads throughout an area and chaos has broken out, people will resort to scapegoating to deal with the disorder. We can look at children and how some do not want to get in trouble and may frame others; criminals do this as well, armies have done this. Scapegoating can go back to ancient times, even.
The fourth and final stage is the cover-up after the scapegoat has been prepared to cover up the deeds that have been done. We see all four stages in society in the past and the present. Countries have gone to war for resources, and after all the chaos is over, the winners sometimes change the history so they can prevent the people from ever rising. All four of these stages in mimetic theory can be seen everywhere. As a theory, this can be considered a realist theory.
Response C
Paradigm Shifts are inevitable in science. We will prove one thing but disprove another. In time a disproven idea or theory can be re-proven. Some ideas are shelved because they cannot be experimented on at the time or are too dangerous. Being an instrumentalist helps open minds to see how things can reapply and settle with what has changed. Being a realist helps solve and prove current problems. It is best to be both in science. Many things cannot be confirmed if Laplace’s demon does exist; this being will not let us discover it unless it allows it, and scientists are not and never will be gods. Science will continue to progress and never have an end to discoveries or new ideas. Therefore, it is best to be both instead of choosing one. Choose instrumentalists to help reapply theories as if they are lumps of clay to be remolded or Lego blocks that can be reapplied to make new things. Be a realist when developing ideas for specific changes to help the world, such as ways to make reusable energy. When both are used, new ideas and discoveries can be made; disqualifying one and accepting just one is not a good idea, in my opinion. Just like in science, where we cannot damage the ecosystem, the natural balance of things, get rid of people because it is inhumane, etc., we should not look at what should and should not be accepted. There is a time and place for everything, and disqualifying one and getting the other may have side effects we are not prepared for.
A) Explain why Ptolemy could be considered “wrong for the right reasons” (explain how
his theories were wrong, but his scientific processes were “right”).
B) Explain why Copernicus could be considered “right for the wrong reasons” (explain how his theories were right, but his scientific processes were “wrong”).
C) Do you consider Aristotle to be “wrong for the right reasons” or “wrong for the wrong reasons” (or neither)?
Response A
Ptolemy believed that the earth was the center of the universe. His solar system was geocentric. He was not the only one nor the last to assume this. Today we know the earth is not the center of the universe. His theory stated that the earth was stationary, and the other planets were on an epicenter. The epicenter allowed the planets to rotate at different speeds. The concept of something being the center while the rest orbit it is still present today; we know the sun is the center of the solar system, not the universe, and the other planets circle it. The concept presented at the time is still relevant in today’s day and age, but the idea that the earth is the center and everything else orbits it is no longer present because it was proven. It was not until Galileo Galilei presented the concept of the earth not being the center in the 17th century that anyone even thought of such a thing. Galileo was also under house arrest for believing in such things. Ptolemy was correct on the concept but was wrong on what the center was, and a mistake such as this is common, especially when space travel was not even an idea, let alone a reality.
Response B
Copernicus believed that the planets orbited the sun and the moon orbited the earth. Today, this is a more acceptable theory since we know the sun is the center of the solar system. Copernicus was wrong about the sun being the center of the universe and the sun being stationary today. We know this is not true. Theories are either proven, disproven, or shelved for a later time to be proven or disproven. Copernicus came close to being accurate on how our solar system works but was still off because space exploration was impossible. It is still impressive how close he was able to get with the limited technology he had at the time.
Response C
I believe Aristotle was right on many things but was mistaken on others. His concept of virtue. He thought that virtues were a result of habit. Aristotle had great ideas that are still valid today, and if anyone visits Greece, they will see Aristotle’s virtues almost anywhere. The people in Greece, just like myself, grew up on rote learning. Rote learning is how we all learn and how they are taught. Rote learning can be thought of as a train running on the same track repeatedly. Think of a person with OCD; they do the same thing often. Aristotle’s teaching helped spread this idea throughout Greece as if Aristotle took control of this train and put it on a track made by him for all these years. The problem with this is that people are not thinking like Aristotle; they are acting that way without thought. Them being on repetitive behavior may keep them having good virtues by actions but not by the idea. Rote learning for many times of people and many subjects hurts the critical thinking process. I was able to get critical thinking skills through philosophy and rote learning, but many of my fellow peers did not. I believe Aristotle and myself share a common thread that is Asperger’s, along with many others. Autistic people live on rote learning and help us, and I believe I, along with others, share autism with Aristotle and many other philosophers. If I am correct in my theory, rote learning should not be disqualified as some colleges have instructed but only used on specific groups such as autistics and certain subjects requiring it. For others, a different type of learning may be necessary.
I believe Aristotle was correct on many ideas, especially about how virtues should be formed, but he probably never realized that the people just mimicked the actions but did not think, and that’s why he may have been mistaken. This same pattern is very toxic as well. Growing up in a Greek community is very enjoyable; everyone knows something about philosophy in some way. Family is good to have, good behaviors are encouraged, respect for others is taught and reinforced, and many other things. The problem is, many believe in the family, but when someone is being abused, they may still push the family together even if it’s the wrong thing to do. This repetitive behavior can also be taken over again, just as Aristotle did in a country with automated behaviors, but people not thinking and just acting can be controlled by a corrupt individual, and we have had communists try to take over. It’s as simple as just saying you agree with your family and have a family to take control. Therefore, I believe Aristotle made mistakes with his ideas but had good concepts that can be applied today.
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