Sarwar and Fraser (2018)

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Sarwar, Ameer and Fraser, Patrick. (2018) Scientificity and The Law of Theory Demarcation. Scientonomy 2, 55-66. Retrieved from https://www.scientojournal.com/index.php/scientonomy/article/view/31275.

Title Scientificity and The Law of Demarcation
Resource Type journal article
Author(s) Patrick Fraser, Ameer Sarwar
Year 2018
Journal Scientonomy
Volume 2
Pages forthcoming

Abstract

The demarcation between science and non-science seems to play an important role in the process of scientific change, as theories regularly transition from being considered scientific to being considered unscientific and vice versa. However, theoretical scientonomy is yet to shed light on this process. The goal of this paper is to tackle the problem of demarcation from the scientonomic perspective. Specifically, we introduce scientificity as a distinct epistemic stance that an agent can take towards a theory. We contend that changes in this stance are to be traced and explained by scientonomy. Thus, we formulate a new law of demarcation to account for changes in scientificity within the scientonomic framework.

Theories

Here are all the theories formulated in Sarwar and Fraser (2018):

TheoryTypeFormulationFormulated In
The Law of Theory Demarcation (Sarwar-Fraser-2018)DescriptiveIf a theory satisfies the demarcation criteria of the method employed at the time, it becomes scientific; if it does not, it remains unscientific; if assessment is inconclusive, the theory’s status can become scientific, unscientific, or uncertain.2018
The Law of Theory Demarcation (Sarwar-Fraser-2018) is Not Tautological (Sarwar-Fraser-2018)DescriptiveThe law of theory demarcation as formulated by Sarwar and Fraser in 2018 is not tautological.2018
Scientificity Is a Subtype of Epistemic Stance (Sarwar-Fraser-2018)DescriptiveScientificity is a subtype of Epistemic Stance, i.e. epistemic stance is a supertype of scientificity.2018
Epistemic Stances Towards Theories - Scientificity (Sarwar-Fraser-2018)DescriptiveThe stance of scientificity can be taken towards a theory.2018

Suggested Modifications

Here are all the modifications suggested in Sarwar and Fraser (2018):

  • Sciento-2018-0013: Accept scientificity as a distinct epistemic stance that epistemic agents can take towards theories. Also accept several questions concerning the definition of scientificity and the applicability of scientificity to other epistemic elements, such as methods and questions, as legitimate topics of scientonomic inquiry. The modification was suggested to Scientonomy community by Patrick Fraser and Ameer Sarwar on 28 December 2018.1 The modification is currently being evaluated; a verdict is pending.
  • Sciento-2018-0014: Accept the law of theory demarcation as a new scientonomic axiom. Also accept questions concerning indicators of scientificity as legitimate topics of scientonomic inquiry. The modification was suggested to Scientonomy community by Patrick Fraser and Ameer Sarwar on 28 December 2018.1 The modification is currently being evaluated; a verdict is pending. The modification can only become accepted once modification Sciento-2018-0013 becomes accepted.


References

  1. a b  Sarwar, Ameer and Fraser, Patrick. (2018) Scientificity and The Law of Theory Demarcation. Scientonomy 2, 55-66. Retrieved from https://www.scientojournal.com/index.php/scientonomy/article/view/31275.