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Descriptive science is equally important as predictive science, but either way, science is not our only tool for knowledge. Statistical predictive models do hap
by xapata 9y ago
Descriptive science is equally important as predictive science, but either way, science is not our only tool for knowledge. Statistical predictive models do happen to be in vogue, though.
- demonshalo 9y ago> Descriptive science The whole point of science is for it to be predictive though. Calling "descriptive science" (whatever that is) a science is sort of... wrong!
- deleted 9y ago[deleted]
- ldp01 9y agoThe point of mathematical models is to be predictive. But I wouldn't call prediction "the whole point of science". That's reducing science to a means-to-an-end. I think science is more commonly understood to be about discovery and exploration? Although it is commonly applied and turned into engineering, expansion of knowledge is still an end in itself.
- xapata 9y agoEver heard about Darwin's "Voyage of the Beagle"? The purpose was to collect specimens and chart coasts -- purely descriptive. Even the idea of predictive natural science was a little awkward in the face of the religious concept that God created the world as-is/will-be.