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    Duhem showed that theoretical models face empirical tests... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→Individual analogical arguments remain important for scrutiny and critical assessment of theoretical models even at the heuristic level

    Duhem showed that theoretical models face empirical tests only as holistic systems, not as individual components isolable by analogical comparison.

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    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

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    Reason for
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    • 1.Experiments require auxiliary hypotheses about apparatus, initial conditions, and background theory to yield testable predictions.
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    • 2.Falsifying a prediction underdetermines which component of a theoretical system actually failed, allowing rational belief retention.
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    • 3.Historical cases show scientists adjusted background assumptions rather than reject core theories when experiments conflicted with predictions.
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    Reasons Against

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    Reason against
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    • 1.Some theoretical components (e.g., logical laws, basic measurement standards) function as stable anchors that do constrain individual hypotheses.
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    • 2.If all components were equally revisable, science could never rationally prefer one theory to another, making empirical progress unintelligible.
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    • 3.Controlled experiments isolating variables demonstrate that specific hypotheses can be tested independently of most background theory.
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    Connections

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    Truth & Knowledge1 linkedSkepticism1 linked

    Related

    Controlled experiments isolating variables demonstrate that specific hypotheses ...Experiments require auxiliary hypotheses about apparatus, initial conditions, an...Falsifying a prediction underdetermines which component of a theoretical system ...Historical cases show scientists adjusted background assumptions rather than rej...
    +3 moreShow less
    If all components were equally revisable, science could never rationally prefer ...Individual analogical arguments remain important for scrutiny and critical asses...Some theoretical components (e.g., logical laws, basic measurement standards) fu...

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    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
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