Re: prediction and worth
Stephen Barnard (steve@megafauna.com)
Tue, 10 Sep 1996 17:16:22 -0800
Shannon Adams wrote:
>
> Just wondering why prediction is the standard of worth for a field of
> study. I have my own ideas but I wanted to get the natives opinion ;)
>
> Shannon
If a theory makes a prediction then it exposes itself to falsification.
Nothing less is required of a scientific theory.
There are fields that don't ostensibly rely on prediction. They look
for systematic regularities and relationships between classes. Botany
is the classical example. I believe that when they are done properly
that they actually *do* make predictions. For example, if a new plant
is discovered then it should fit nicely into the established
classifications. If it doesn't then some serious re-evaluation of the
system of classification is in order.
Steve Barnard
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