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Observational Language Theories (The Distinction Between Theory and Observation)

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one of the topics of philosophy of science is the distinction between observation and theory

Observational Theory Types

Theory-Laden Observation

observations are said to be “theory-laden” when they are affected by the theoreticalpresuppositions held by the investigator

Theory-Free Observation

observations are said to be “theory-free” when they are NOT affected by the theoretical presuppositions held by the investigator

Theory-Neutral Observation

observations are said to be “theory-neutral” when they are laden with theories, but neutral to the theory being tested

Distinguishing Theory and Observation

There are a number of ways in which attempts have been made to draw the distinction between theory and observation:

  • meaning independence - the meaning of observational terms is drawn from a theory-independent source, empirical observation, and thus is independent of theoretical meaning
  • truth-value independence - the truth value of observational statements is ascertained from a theory-independent source, empirical observation, and thus is independent of the truth values of any theory
  • incorrigibility - some empirical statements, those which provide direct contact with what is the case, are distinct from the corrigible statements of theory. they provide the incorrigible foundation for the theoretical superstructure
  • factualness - some statements put us in direct contact with what is the case. Theories do so only indirectly, if they do so at all
  • use of observation in perceptual reports - observational statements and predicates are those used in perceptual reports and theoretical statements and predicates are not so used
  • non-explanatory function - observational statements are explained by theoretical statements and do not themselves explain
  • ordinary language - the realm of ordinary language is logically independent realm which is entirely adequate in itself and can in no way be affected by the logically distinct realms of scientific and philosophical discourse
  • radical meaning dependence - the meaning of observational terms is dependent upon the theory which is designed to explain them. Thus competing theories each have their own set of observations. And because of this they become incommensurable. The radical critics have then set themselves the task of giving an alternative account of theoretical change
  • radical truth-value dependence - the truth-value of empirical statements is a function of the truth-value of the theories from which they derive and upon which they are dependent
  • in-principle corrigibility - no observational statement is incorrigible, for, indeed, they are all theory-laden and are as liable to be rejected as the theories which sustain them
  • rejection of givenness - there are no statements which put us in direct contact with what is the case
  • use of theory in perceptual reports - theoretical statements and predicates can be and are used in perceptual reports
  • theory-like function of observation - just as lower level theories are explained by higher level theories so observational statements are possible interpretations of sensory input. And in this sense they function as theories
  • relevant meaning independence - though the meaning of observational statements is dependent upon theories and/or laws and is not the direct result of sensory input, nevertheless the meaning of the terms in the test statements need not and, indeed, must not be dependent on the meaning of the terms of the theory under scrutiny
  • relevant truth-value independence - and though the truth of observational statements is theory-dependent and is not founded on direct contact with what is the case, nevertheless the truth of the test statement need not and, indeed, must not depend on the truth of the statements of the theory under scrutiny

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