Philosophy Now Forum

I am not yet sure we have reached an agreed definition of 'fact'. Also, I would appreciate clarification on what constitutes scientific 'law', a point upon which I have never been clear. I have attempted to state my views in my last post. I thought that Hume's definition of universal law included t...

Gabriel, You ask: Are there any other cases where a scientific theory that had a majority’s consensus was proven wrong? The Ptolemaic system must count as an example. I think that until the sixteenth century it was generally accepted in Europe that the earth was stationary at the centre of a finite ...

Hi Gabriel, I haven't read the "History of Western Philosophy". Russell's definition seems too general, specifically there are 2 words that I would question: 'All' and 'definite'. Considering 'All', I think that the knowledge that 'fire can burn you' is known in some form across all of the...

Is anyone up for discussing the problems with existing philosophies of science? I have recently read Alan Chalmers book 'What is this thing called science?' which gives an overview of the different attempts at a philosophy of science along with their strengths and weaknesses. The first half of the b...