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Westfall Chap. 2-8

History & Philosophy of Science, Sci101, UC Fall 2002. Westfall Chap. 2-8. Jessica, Thomas, Koen, Floris, BJ. Presentation Outline. Jessica (C irculation and Ovism) Discussion Floris ( The 17 th Century Scientific Attitude ) Discussion Coffee & Tea. Jessica. Circulation and Ovism.

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Westfall Chap. 2-8

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  1. History & Philosophy of Science, Sci101, UC Fall 2002 Westfall Chap. 2-8 Jessica, Thomas, Koen, Floris, BJ

  2. Presentation Outline • Jessica (Circulation and Ovism) • Discussion • Floris (The 17th Century Scientific Attitude) • Discussion • Coffee & Tea

  3. Jessica Circulation and Ovism

  4. William Harvey

  5. ~ The heart is the household divinity which, discharging its function, nourishes, cherishes, quickens the whole body, and is indeed the foundation of life, the source of all action ~

  6. Descartes vs. Harvey

  7. Ex Ovo Omnia

  8. Homunculus

  9. Discussion • Remember participation is likely to positively influence your grade.

  10. Proposition • The human being is mainly an organic body as opposed to a spiritual mind.

  11. Proposition • Was Francis Bacon correct in his opinion about science and the idea that science subjects nature to its authority?

  12. Proposition • Is Descartes still a true mechanist when you consider his expression ‘cogito ergo sum’ which was according to him the most fundamental truth?

  13. Floris On the 17th Century Scientific Attitude

  14. What is ‘Revolution’? A brainstorm.

  15. Was the 17th Century a ‘Scientific Revolution?’ “[T]he reformulation of conceptions was radical enough to warrant the name ‘revolution’ that was frequently applied to it.” - Westfall (1971, page 105)

  16. Questions • What is ‘revolution?’ • Why was the 17th century a scientific revolution?

  17. Dictionary “Revolution (1) In social sciences: (…) (2) A dramatic and wide-reaching change in the way something works or is organized or in people’s ideas about it, e.g. marketing underwent a revolution.” - The New Oxford Dictionary of English , Pearsall, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1998

  18. Philosopher on ‘Revolution’ • Kuhn: • Scientific ‘development’ only within a certain paradigm • Revolution = Paradigm Change

  19. Distinction • ‘Ordinary’Scientific Development • Neatly categorising all animals and describing what they look like. • Revolution (part of) • Copernicus’ theory that the sun was the centre of the universe ( paradigm change)

  20. Was the 17th Century a ‘Scientific Revolution?’ • William of Ockham’s Razor: ‘If all things are equal, the most simple explanation is the right one.’ • By the way, he was a Medieval Philosopher.

  21. Difference between books • What is the difference between Westfall’s and Lindberg’s book? • Westfall: 17th Century / Lindberg: Before • What occurs to you at first glance? • Look at Westfall chapter III, VII or VIII.

  22. Westfall (the 17th Century) • Much more formula’s and complex figures. • (Content) research is more specific • scientists endeavour to specifically and critically test hypotheses • experiments to verify theories = a different scientific attitude

  23. Karl Popper • A scientist should try do everything in his power to prove his theory to be incorrect (falsification) • If he cannot prove his theory to be incorrect, but tried, then the theory is nice. If he proves it to be incorrect, he can adjust it. • Therefore, this attitude leads to development.

  24. Example of Scientific Attitude • Pascal suspected that atmospheric pressure influenced the ‘barometer.’ • He figured that if this was so, then the barometer’s value would differ on different heights. • He performed the ‘mountain experiment.’

  25. Conclusions • The 17th Century differed essentially from previous era: • Refusal of authority (remember v. Helden) • Critical Hypothesis Testing =Different Scientific Attitude • Code Word: Criticism

  26. A Closing Remark • ‘Science is an honour of the human race. Therefore, it is justified to say that it must be available for everyone.’ • Anna Maria van Schuurman (Utrecht), 1624 (unofficial transl. by F.)

  27. Discussion • Remember participation is likely to positively influence your grade.

  28. Discussion Design • Remember participation is likely to positively influence your grade. • One proposition • Group A – In favour • Group B – Against • 1 minute preparation

  29. Proposition • Descartes erased his harddrive and constructed a philosophy from scratch. • Did he succeed? • Is this possible in principle?

  30. Proposition • Was Newton a philosopher just like Descartes? • Is it so that every scientific breakthrough brings a new perspective and is therefore automatically interwoven with philosophy?

  31. Proposition • Alchemy in the 17th century accomplished more than general chemistry. • Did the mechanical philosophy cause any advancements within chemistry? • What about alchemy? • Is a scientific theory inferior because it accepts the occult? • - ‘The purpose of science is the relief of man’s estate, the comfort and convenience of human life.’ (Westfall, paraphrasing F. Bacon)

  32. Proposition • Better instrumentation contributed the most to all the new discoveries in the 17th century.

  33. Proposition • Was Newton the end of Mechanical Philosophy?

  34. The end • Enjoy your coffee & tea

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