University of California Berkeley The Theoretician Dilemma Questions 2 questions. Each question answered in 2-3 pages. Times new roman, 12pt font, double s

University of California Berkeley The Theoretician Dilemma Questions 2 questions. Each question answered in 2-3 pages. Times new roman, 12pt font, double spaced.Attached are the readings, my notes, and the prompt. Most of the questions should be covered from my notes, the readings will not have to be used much, except for a little bit of the Theoreticians dilemma question.No need to cite the source. Kuhn on Theory Choice
A. According to Kuhn, there are at least five objective (or shared) criteria for theory
choice. What are they? Provide a general gloss of each one.
B. Kuhn argues that these objective (or shared) criteria do not constitute binding
criteria for theory choice. Why does Kuhn think that, though all reasonable
scientists agree that those five criteria are important, they may nevertheless
reasonably disagree on which theory to choose? (Hint: Give examples that
support the idea that scientists who agree on the importance of the five criteria
may nevertheless disagree on how to apply those criteria.)
C. Kuhn admits that many philosophers of science believe that there are binding
criteria. What, according to Kuhn, explains why so many philosophers of science
have been so badly misled?
The Theoretician’s Dilemma
Hempel describes the theoretician’s dilemma as follows “If the terms and principles of a
theory serve their purpose they are unnecessary…; and if they do not serve
serve their purpose
they are surely unnecessary. But given any theory, its terms and principles either serve their
purpose or they do not. Hence, the terms and principle of any theory are unnecessary.”
Your task is to explain this argument.
A. The terms and principles that Hempel’s argument concerns are 1. the parts of the
theory that are formulated in the theoretical vocabulary and 2. interpretive
sentences. What is a theory’s theoretical vocabulary? What are interpretive
sentences?
B. What purpose do these terms and principles serve, according to the argument?
C. Why does Hempel claim that if they serve that purpose, they are unnecessary for
serving that purpose? Why does Hempel claim that if they do not serve that
purpose, then surely they are unnecessary for serving that purpose?
D. Is there any other purpose that the theoretical vocabulary and interpretive
sentences might serve, such that we can argue that in fact they are necessary after
all?
Kuhn on Theory Choice
A. According to Kuhn, there are at least five objective (or shared) criteria for theory
choice. What are they? Provide a general gloss of each one.
B. Kuhn argues that these objective (or shared) criteria do not constitute binding
criteria for theory choice. Why does Kuhn think that, though all reasonable
scientists agree that those five criteria are important, they may nevertheless
reasonably disagree on which theory to choose? (Hint: Give examples that
support the idea that scientists who agree on the importance of the five criteria
may nevertheless disagree on how to apply those criteria.)
C. Kuhn admits that many philosophers of science believe that there are binding
criteria. What, according to Kuhn, explains why so many philosophers of science
have been so badly misled?
The Theoretician’s Dilemma
Hempel describes the theoretician’s dilemma as follows “If the terms and principles of a
theory serve their purpose they are unnecessary…; and if they do not serve
serve their purpose
they are surely unnecessary. But given any theory, its terms and principles either serve their
purpose or they do not. Hence, the terms and principle of any theory are unnecessary.”
Your task is to explain this argument.
A. The terms and principles that Hempel’s argument concerns are 1. the parts of the
theory that are formulated in the theoretical vocabulary and 2. interpretive
sentences. What is a theory’s theoretical vocabulary? What are interpretive
sentences?
B. What purpose do these terms and principles serve, according to the argument?
C. Why does Hempel claim that if they serve that purpose, they are unnecessary for
serving that purpose? Why does Hempel claim that if they do not serve that
purpose, then surely they are unnecessary for serving that purpose?
D. Is there any other purpose that the theoretical vocabulary and interpretive
sentences might serve, such that we can argue that in fact they are necessary after
all?
Q1
5 criteria for theory choice:
1) Accuracy – whether theory that prediction makes are true
2) cons Bdency Cinternal/external) internal: No convalichon, precise
et on externali virtue in theory
3) Brood scope- All things equal, scientBb prefer theory that makes
prediction over broader range of domolin than a warrow range
more still covered is better.
4) simplicity – All simplicity considerations are reducible to Bayesian bien
conditional
5) Fruitfulness-Theories are better when they solve / achieve more
CAN
M
Kuhn is saying scientists can perform same experiments 100% rationally
t correct, record same evidence, share same virtues, t
still choose different theories
– This is not only possible, but actually common
– “No binding Criteria of theory choice “- No standards for
evaluating Theory choices such that given evidence,
these standards uniquely determine what theory to
aclept. There is always 1 or more theories to accept
even if perfectly rational.
Q4 continued
– We don’t have shared Precise understanding of 5 criteria
1) Accuracy?
2) internal consistency is precise. External is unprecise,
we may disagree on what theores its important for
our Theory to be consistent with
3) we both agree that broader is better, but we
disagree on the domains to be broad on.
4) we may have different standards of simplicity &
we apply our virtue of simplicity in different ways
5) we may disagree on what theory is more fruittal
based on our beliefs.
4
simplicity & accuracy tend to conflict. You make
something more accurate with less simplicity,
– kuhn believes that with given evidence, there
3 1 or more theories that are reasonable.
– There is no right theory to believe, u
that there is no perfectly objective stance that
says what theory to believe in
– some belicts are unjustified though.
meaning
Q2
– Theoretical vocabulary – every other term in the
suentific theory where you can’t tell directly
Through observation whether or not it applies,
Interpretive sentences – Tells
you
how observational
terms relate to Theoretical terms.
♡ Example- A substance is 212° Fahrenheit if & only
if the thermometer in it reads 212° Fahrenheit.
observational term term that you can tell
directly, just by using your senses, whether or not
it applies to a particular situation.
Layer cake conception of scientific Theories
– Top level: Theoretical Level
– Middle Level! Observational Generalizations
Bottom Level: particular observations
– In Layer cake model, the theoretical level explains
& entails stuff about the observational level

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