thesis

This is the latest version of my thesis: Automating Normal Science: Reusing Exemplars in Physics Problem-Solving (although it's as much about engineering problems as it is about physics)

Comments much appreciated! If you don't have the time to read very much, please use of the table of contents to jump to your favorite chapter.

And please question and correct me as much as you like!

Kuhn and the word "paradigm"

http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/paradigm.html

par·a·digm (plural par·a·digms)

noun
Definitions:

1. typical example: a typical example of something

2. model that forms basis of something: an example that serves as a pattern or model for something, especially one that forms the basis of a methodology or theory

3. set of all forms of word: a set of word forms giving all of the possible inflections of a word

4. relationship of ideas to one another: in the philosophy of science, a generally accepted model of how ideas relate to one another, forming a conceptual framework within which scientific research is carried out

Now I see why Kuhn chose the word "paradigm": because he viewed science as the creation of explanations based on previous examplars. I wonder if meaning 2 was "coined" by him.

So a paradigm shift is when you throw out your set of examplars from which you used to model explanations: "No, electrons are not like tiny charged balls". This will often mean that you feel clueless, if you have no exemplars to draw from.

I used to think that Kuhn's notion of paradigm meant something like "way of doing/seeing things", similar what the idea of what matrix you're trapped in, or what colour glasses you're seeing things through (theory-ladenness). But now I see that it's based on the notion of exemplar, seeing that he chose to use the word "paradigm".

2 Random annoyances

Random annoyances:

* receiving HTML emails with really small letters
* webpages that play music without asking permission

I don't know how to fix either of these. I use GMail and Firefox.

"Don't dumb me down" is a critical view of science coverage in the media

via mathemajician


Don't dumb me down is a critical view of science coverage in the media.

My highlights:
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