- Published: January 15, 2022
- Updated: January 15, 2022
- University / College: Université de Montréal
- Level: Undergraduate
- Language: English
- Downloads: 42
Case study The basis of scientific method is making accurate observations. If a given premise, on how nature works survives the various tests it is put into by competent observers, then it becomes a scientific law. Francis Bacon asserted that reason is the rule in inductive method. It entails starting with several observations of nature so as to create a few but powerful statements on how nature works. David Hume’s idea that the scientific method is the source of knowledge in human beings is consistent with Bacon’s view on the induction method. However, they differ when Hume comes up with the argument that causality can never be perceived. His belief was that empiricism had no place for causality and that human beings learn through associations with each other and arguments they have with friends. This gave rise to the issue of induction in philosophy.
On the other hand, Tomas Kuhn was of the idea that knowledge comes through the revolution of science. He proposes that the origin of knowledge is through observations and drawing practical conclusions, which can be tested scientifically. Other scholars carry out empirical tests on facts proposed by one scholar. They develop new models to provide plausible explanations for the old and new observations. This explanation is consistent with Bacon’s proposal on inductive process of arriving at knowledge. The view on scientific method by Bacon has been in use in the contemporary world of ideas and science, where concepts are continually tested, and put in the swing of things. (Shuttleworth, 2009).
References
Shuttleworth, M. (2009). History of the Philosophy of Science. Available from