Epistemology: Intersubjectivity in Science
The Observation in Computer Science
A belief can be considered to be known when it is justified, when it is supported by evidence. Science is intended to provide information about the real world through observation. Science tries to describe and explain what has been observed and predict future events. Science cares only for what is directly and indirectly observable.
Direct and Indirect Observation
Observing is an act. It serves several aspects. Observation is not synonymous with seeing. The observation may be indirect; someone can observe a fire but only see the smoke from it. Or, someone can see a single plane, although what they see is the contrail it leaves. The subject observes a phenomenon through another phenomenon associated with it. You may not always see what interests us.
Scientific Requirements of Observation
Science is intended to be objective. Experiences are always subjective. Science is public knowledge; it is built together. What is sought are experiences that can be shared; subjectivity becomes intersubjectivity.
Requirements:
- Repeatability: Allows us to find relationships, regularities and formulate laws.
- Intersubjectivity: The data of interest to science cannot come from a unique and privileged observer; it must come from more than one investigator. What is wanted is objective data.
Epistemology
Epistemology is the philosophical discipline that deals with the problems of knowledge. A more restricted epistemology limits its subject to all matters related to scientific knowledge. It is a subset of issues in epistemology. Because of its reference to science, language, and methodology, it approaches in many respects the methods of scientific work and moves away from the more traditional philosophical language. Some authors have considered that epistemology is part of what is called the “science of science.”
It is a Metatheoretical Discipline (no relation to a particular domain of reality, but it reflects and theorizes about knowledge itself). The methodology of science is a problem in epistemology that evaluates the procedures used by science. Within the methodology are research techniques that analyze and discuss specific procedures for the search and processing of knowledge. While the epistemology of scientific knowledge is concerned, the philosophy of science includes a basically wider field, such as ethical and ontological issues.
Structural Issues
Structural issues are a central theme related to the components and interrelationships of knowledge and the relationships between theories and their external referents.
Dynamic Aspects
Dynamic aspects include the emergence of beliefs and their changes over time: the abandonment of certain ideas and concepts, acceptance and rejection of theories, and the possibility of progress or increased knowledge. For Reichenbach and Popper, epistemology only corresponds to the context of justification. Others, however, such as Kuhn and Toulmin, argue that dynamic issues, developments beyond their own that could make each of the disciplines such as sociology or history, should be taken into consideration within epistemology, as the global theory which brings together within itself all matters relating to scientific knowledge.