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> They teach us Scientific Realism in school. I'd argue the opposite is true for anyone who has studied statistics which is largely built on Instrumentalism (t
by riskassessment 7mo ago
> They teach us Scientific Realism in school.
I'd argue the opposite is true for anyone who has studied statistics which is largely built on Instrumentalism (think George Box: 'All models are wrong, but some are useful') and Popperian falsification (Null Hypothesis testing). We are absolutely taught to treat models as predictive tools rather than metaphysical truths.
- butILoveLife 7mo agoStatistics is even presented like metaphysical truth. Or at least my experience in engineering school. And taking fluid dynamics, we used renyolds number, which is a made up ratio that helps for decision making... Its not like when we answered questions, we could answer the grey area we are discussing. If I had to guess, I think its due to western civilization being built of Platonism (and even Aristotle was infected). Our science and morality is later built by platonic realism. Only in the last 100-ish years are we starting to get over it.