Popper's Theory and Realism vs. Phenomenalism

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts relating to Popper's theories, realism, phenomenalism, and the philosophical implications of knowledge acquisition.

Popper's View on Scientific Theories

Scientific theories are conjectures that are tentatively proposed and must withstand rigorous empirical testing against observations.

Deduction vs. Induction

Popper claims that the growth of knowledge involves deduction, moving from theories to observation-statements, rather than induction.

Hume's Logical Problem of Induction

Popper solves this problem by asserting that we need not be concerned with induction since science operates independently of it.

Common Sense Realism

The thesis that physical objects exist independently of perception; the physical world causes our experiences.

Egocentric Predicament

The philosophical difficulty in knowing whether things exist independently of our consciousness or perception.

John Stuart Mill's View on Physical Objects

Matter is defined as the permanent possibility of sensation, asserting that objects exist as potential perceptions.

Critical Realism

The belief that the physical world is partly dependent and partly independent of the perceiver for its existence.

Phenomenalism

The theory that physical objects exist only as experiences or perceptions and not independently from them.