Tag: Philosophy of Science
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Adding Epicycles
In scientific modeling, adding epicycles refers to augmenting a model’s structure to accommodate unexplained data. This practice, which has its roots in ancient geocentric theories of astronomy, often compromises both the model’s simplicity and its predictive accuracy.
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Causal Inference
Causal inference provides a framework for deducing the relationship between cause and effect using empirical data. It employs a variety of rigorous methods to ensure the validity of its findings, making it indispensable in fields such as policy evaluation, economics, and healthcare.
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Pure vs. Applied Research
Pure research seeks to expand fundamental knowledge, driven by curiosity, while applied research is designed to solve practical problems with immediate applications. Both are crucial for knowledge advancement and interact to inform each other.