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Descriptive Theory (Sebastien-2016) (view source)
Revision as of 01:54, 11 June 2020
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{{DefinitionTheory|Term Defined=Descriptive Theory|Authors ListType=Zoe Sebastien,Definition|Year FormulatedTopic=2016Descriptive Theory
|Formulation Text=A set of propositions that attempts to describe something.
|Formulation File=Descriptive Theory (Sebastien-2016).png
|Authors List=Zoe Sebastien
|Formulated Year=2016
|Description=According to [[Zoe Sebastien|Sebastien]]'s definition of the term, descriptive theories aim at ''describing'' a certain object under study, where ''describe'' is understood in the broad sense and includes ''explain'', ''predict'', etc. Thus, the term encompasses theories that attempt to describe a certain phenomenon, process, or state of affairs in the past, present, or future. All of the following propositions would qualify as ''descriptive'':
* The acceleration of an object as produced by a net force is directly proportional to the magnitude of the net force, in the same direction as the net force, and inversely proportional to the mass of the object. (''A general description of a phenomenon''.)
* Paris is the capital of France. (''A description of a current state of affairs''.)
* Augustus was the first emperor of the Roman Empire. (''A description of a past state of affairs''.)
* Halley's comet will next appear in the night sky in the year 2062. (''A description of a future event, i.e. a prediction''.)
Typically, most propositions produced by both empirical and formal sciences would fall under the category of ''descriptive theory''. Among others, this includes substantive propositions of physics, chemistry, biology, psychology, sociology, and economics, as well those of historical sciences. Excluded from this category are [[Normative Theory|normative propositions]], such as those of methodology, ethics, or aesthetics.
|Resource=Sebastien (2016)
|Prehistory=
|History=
|Page Status=Needs Editing
|Editor Notes=
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{{Acceptance Record
|Community=Community:Scientonomy
|Accepted From Era=CE
|Accepted From Year=2017
|Accepted From Month=February
|Accepted From Day=15
|Accepted From Approximate=No
|Acceptance Indicators=The definition became accepted as a result of the acceptance of the respective [[Modification:Sciento-2017-0001|suggested modification]].
|Still Accepted=Yes
|Accepted Until Era=
|Accepted Until Year=
|Accepted Until Month=
|Accepted Until Day=
|Accepted Until Approximate=No
|Rejection Indicators=
}}
