Re: supernatural observation and faith def.

Bill Hamilton (hamilton@predator.cs.gmr.com)
Tue, 1 Oct 1996 13:41:09 -0400

At 1:41 PM 10/1/96, David J. Tyler wrote:
>(a) Historical science is concerned primarily with causation:
>sequences of past events, and explanatory links based on
>causation.
>Empirical science is concerned with natural laws and the way
>nature operates, with explanations expressed primarily in terms
>of natural law.
>
>(b) Historical science uses a methodology of abductive inference
>(analogous to detective work).
>Empirical science uses a methodology of induction and
>generalisation: inferring natural laws from observational data.
>
>(c) Historical science works with incomplete data with the
>scientist having relatively little control over the degree of
>completeness.
>Empirical science works with data that is, in principle, under
>the control of the investigator - who designs the experimental
>programme to gather the data which is relevant to the research
>objectives.
>
>(d) Historical science invokes unobservable entities in
>explanations.
>Empirical science invokes observable entities in explanations.
>
>(e) Historical science tests explanations using indirect methods,
>recognising the unique and unrepeatable character of past events.
>Empirical science tests explanations using direct methods, often
>utilising the repeatability of experiments.

Thanks, David.

This raises an interesting question: Is astrophysics a historical science?

Bill Hamilton
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