What Is This Thing Called Science? / Alan Chalmers
Chapter 2: Observation as practical intervention
Observation according to
Chalmers is not passive à
range or things are done to establish the validity of a perception
- If validity of perceptions
is doubted à
take action to remove the problem (e.g. touch, taste and dissect the object of
observation)
- Action can be taken to
explore the adequacy of claims put forward as observable facts, so subjective
aspects of perception need not be an intractable problem for science. Observable facts objective but
fallible
- An observation statement
constitutes a fact worthy of forming part of the basis for science if it is
such that it can be tested by the senses and withstands those tests à emphasis on tests
brings out active, public character of the vindication of observation
statements
Observations suitable for
constituting a basis for scientific knowledge are both objective and fallible.
They are objective insofar as they can be publicly tested by straightforward procedures,
and they are fallible insofar as they may be undermined by new kinds of tests
made possible by advances in science and technology.
