Alan Chalmers Quotes

Two normal observers viewing the same object from the same place under the same physical circumstances do not necessarily have identical visual experiences, even though the images on their respective retinas may be virtually identical.

No matter which comes first, the facts or the theory, the question to be addressed is the extent to which the theory is borne out by the facts. The strongest possible claim would be that the theory can be logically derived from the facts. That is, given the facts, the theory can be proven as a consequence of them. This strong claim cannot be substantiated.

A far as perception is concerned, the only things with which an observer has direct and immediate contact are his or her experiences.

Empiricism and positivism share the common view that scientific knowledge should in some way be derived from the facts arrived at by observation.

Which facts are relevant and which are not relevant to a science will be relative to the current state of development of that science.

A mature science is governed by a single paradigm.

The aim of science is to falsify theories and to replace them by better theories, theories that demonstrate a greater ability to withstand tests.

Establishing by observation that there is just one black swan falsifies "all swans are white". This is an unexceptional and undeniable point. However, using it as grounds to support a falsificationist philosophy of science is not as straightforward as it might seem.

The experienced and skilled observer does not have perceptual experiences identical to those of the untrained novice when the two confront the same situation.

Scientists are typically good at making scientific progress, but not particularly good at articulating what the progress consists of.

Many kinds of processes are at work in the world around us, and they are all superimposed on, and interact with, each other in complicated ways.

Science describes not just the observable world but also the world that lies beyond the appearances. This is a rough statement of realism with respect to science.

The confirmations of novel predictions resulting from bold conjectures are very important in the falsificationist account of the growth of science.

Science is widely esteemed. Apparently it is a widely held belief that there is something special about science and its methods.

Science progresses by trial and error, by conjectures and refutations. Only the fittest theories survive.