Natural Facts Research Articles

Method and Factual Agreement in Science

One important view of the nature of facts in science sees the validity of factual claims as resting upon intersubjective agreement through observation, yet the conditions underlying such intersubjectivity are rarely explored. In this paper I should like to inquire into the role of shared method in arriving at intersubjective agreement concerning fact. One useful way of exploring this issue is to examine the methodological element in factual disputes in science, since such controversy may indicate important aspects of factual agreement.There are times in science when an appeal to factual evidence is successful in the choice between hypotheses. In fact it is clear that, at least on some occasions, there is agreement among scientists as to “what the facts are.” Moreover, such factual agreement can be found between scientists who maintain quite different theories.

Oral and written style: Directions for research

Though much has been written on oral in contrast with written language, little of a factual nature is known about the actual deferences. This paper discusses some of the directions in which research might proceed in clarifying the distinctions between these two forms of communication.

REPLY TO FIRST AND SECOND THOUGHTS IN MORAL PHILOSOPHY

MR. WARNER accuses me of inconsistency in asserting on the one hand that valuational propositions follow necessarily from the factual nature of the things evaluated and admitting on the other that somebody might agree with me as to the empirical properties of something and yet dispute as to its value. My answer is that might here only means might in fact and not that we might both be right in doing so. Even if the value of a thing (experience or mental state) is necessarily determined by its empirical nature, this in no way prevents two people agreeing as to its empirical nature but disagreeing as to its value. All that follows is that they then cannot both be right. We must not assume that, wherever B necessarily follows from A, it is always easy to determine whether it does so or not, especially in cases of non-formal inference. But this does not make the decision whether B follows from A arbitrary.

The problem of assessing scientific accomplishment: A potential solution

The failure to understand the relationship between organizational setting and scientific accomplishment can result in structures that inhibit rather than promote effective research. Yet, relatively little of a factual nature is known about the effect of the increasingly complex personal and institutional structure within which research is conducted on the nature and quality of scientific work. The major barrier in obtaining such systematic evidence lies in the difficulty of developing techniques to quantitatively and qualitatively measure scientific accomplishment. The experience of the author's research group indicates that the use of summaries, in conjunction with the “panel” technique in which eminent authorities in given fields are used to evaluate scientific accomplishment, may provide a practical solution to the problem of qualitatively assessing recent research accomplishment.

The Human Spine in Health and Disease

Abnormalities of the spine are of major importance in a mechanized society, and adequate interpretation of distortions of the spinal anatomy requires a grasp of its development and functions. These points are stressed throughout this book. The opening section contains material on growth and development, presented in greater depth than in the first edition. The techniques employed in physical and neurological examination are generally less applicable for the radiologist, but the short section devoted to these topics provides a pertinent review. In addition, the description of anatomicalpathological methods is of value to individuals involved in this form of study. Congenital variations and malformations of the spine are explained in detail, though with undue emphasis on the transitional lumbosacral vertebra. Malformations of the vertebral arch seen in spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis are extensively examined in two different sections of the text, producing some redundancy. A concise description of the variation in vertebral body form seen in hereditary skeletal dysplasia reflects current interest in this topic. This part of the text lacks the superb illustrations and correlative autopsy material found in other parts of the book. Vertebral osteoporosis and its interaction with disk size is discussed in the section on diseases of the disks and vertebrae. There is good correlation between pathological studies, macrophotographs, and radiographs of surgical and autopsy specimens. The Dresden Institute has a long-standing interest and established reputation in problems of the intervertebral disk. An extensive review of the pathological states of the disks is given in a separate chapter. Disk abnormalities are retreated in several sections, including a rather complete discussion of methods of spine fusion, conservative management, and prognosis. There is a paradox in the text: the discussion of correlation between disk disease and symptoms is refuted in part by a superb presentation indicating the lack of satisfactory correlation between industrial stress and existing or preexisting damage. This latter approach has maintained a very low rate of industrial compensation awards in Germany based on complaints claimed to be due to spinal disease. Emphasis on the spinal articulations and the consideration of the spine as a total and segmental organ of motion reflects an increasing interest in function and pathophysiology. The concept of intervertebral insufficiency, including reduced and abnormal motion patterns, introduces an expanded insight into this aspect of spine disease; however, the lack of documentation and use of hypothesis in this section is not totally in keeping with the factual nature of the original text. Scolioses, kyphoses, and other vertebral malalignments are very evident to the radiologist. Excellent illustrations of these entities assist in understanding the underlying distortion of anatomy. The authors summarize well the lack of success in correcting scolioses and the confusion which persists regarding appropriate methods of approach. There is repeated emphasis on possible underlying problems of the disks. The general organization of the book is somewhat less direct than in the first English translation. Chapters relate alternately to pathology, to anatomical areas of the spine such as the transitional regions, or to functions of the spine, making it difficult to find specific material. The book contains two comprehensive bibliographies, one of English-language articles and one of articles in other languages. This makes referencing appreciably easier. Most of the illustrations are from the first English translation and are of superb quality. The inclusion of material on clinical evaluation and treatment of disease has diluted some of the concise effectiveness of the earlier text. The use of hypotheses and theories is not in keeping with the objective factual nature of the anatomical-pathological contents. The textual material is presented well, but the mass of information contained prevents it from being light reading. The editing is excellent; with the exception of two inverted illustrations, no major errors of format were found. The second edition is slightly less balanced than the first, with overemphasis on specific abnormalities. The volume of material presented, the careful documentation of pathological specimens with radiographic findings, and the in-depth exploration of the underlying disturbances of anatomy in the disease processes makes this the definitive text on the human spine. The second edition of the English translation serves to complement the first by expanding the factual material presented in the earlier edition. This text is recommended as a superb reference work for physicians involved in the diagnosis and understanding of various disease entities involving the spine. MALCOLM D. JONES, M.D.

Symposium on Coronary Artery Disease Blood Supply to Ischaemic Myocardium Distal to the Occlusion of a Coronary Artery

A Self-Evident Truth1’ 2, 3, 4 When a coronary artery is narrowed or occluded the fate of the human patient, or the fate of the experimental dog, depends upons the amount of blood in the ischaemic myocardium. This applies whether the stenosis or occlusion is produced by disease in a coronary artery or by surgical ligature of a coronary artery. The factual nature of this statement is comparable to the axiom in geometry that a straight line is the shortest distance between two points. Understanding and acceptance of this statement is the first requirement to understanding the coronary problem. It is also a requirement for the development of effective methods of treatment. If these statements are correct, and no scientist can deny them, then an informed society will expect the medical scientist to investigate bloodsupply to ischaemic muscle and to develop methods to increase it. A voluminous medical literature, which scarcely mentions this subject, does not have the answer to the coronary artery problem nor do the appeals for funds for research give any promise for effective treatment of coronary artery disease unless the research is directed to a study of blood-supply to muscle made ischaemic by the disease. My associates and I have investigated this problem over the past 25 years. This investigation was carried out in over 5,000 dogs; surgeons and physiologists devoted from one to five years on this project full time; experiments were done directly upon the coronary blood vessels; observations were made and facts were established. These facts have been published in the medical literature but in general the medical cardiologists have reacted to them as if they do not exist. In most instances their resistance is based upon a lack of understanding. However, surgeons are doing the operation with good results and an informed public will expect the medical cardiologist to cooperate in the best interest of the patient.

The nature of facts

(1952). The nature of facts. Australasian Journal of Philosophy: Vol. 30, No. 2, pp. 90-116.

Studies in the Nature of Facts.

Studies in the Nature of Facts.

University of California Publications in Philosophy. Volume 13, Studies in the Problem of Relations. Volume 14, Studies in the Nature of Facts. Volume 15, Causality.

University of California Publications in Philosophy. Volume 13, Studies in the Problem of Relations. Volume 14, Studies in the Nature of Facts. Volume 15, Causality.

Book Review:Studies in the Nature of Facts: Lectures Delivered before the Philosophical Union of the University of California, 1930-1931.

Book Review:Studies in the Nature of Facts: Lectures Delivered before the Philosophical Union of the University of California, 1930-1931.

Studies in the Nature of Facts: Lectures Delivered before the Philosophical Union of the University of California, 1930-1931.

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Studies in the Nature of Facts

Studies in the Nature of Facts

Studies in the Nature of Facts. Lectures delivered before the Philosophical Union, University of California. (Berkeley, California: University of California Press. 1932. Vol. 14. Pp. 232. Price $3.)

Studies in the Nature of Facts. Lectures delivered before the Philosophical Union, University of California. (Berkeley, California: University of California Press. 1932. Vol. 14. Pp. 232. Price $3.)

The Psychological Case against the Fairy Tale

Previous articleNext article No AccessThe Psychological Case against the Fairy TaleH. E. WheelerH. E. Wheeler Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The Elementary School Journal Volume 29, Number 10Jun., 1929 Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/456331 Views: 20Total views on this site Copyright 1929 The University of ChicagoPDF download Crossref reports no articles citing this article.