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Single Idea 24505

[catalogued under 14. Science / B. Scientific Theories / 2. Aim of Science]

Full Idea

If one adheres to an empiricist epistemology of science, one has no grounds to hold that data-hungry machines will not eventually be better scientists than human beings.

Gist of Idea

For empiricists, machines with huge data could become better scientists than humans

Source

Mazviita Chirimuuta (The Brain Abstracted [2024], 8.3.3)

A Reaction

This is if you think that the aims of science are entirely technological, and aim mainly at classification and prediction. But an empiricist can equally see the aim of science as full understanding, achieved via explanation.

Book Reference

Mazviita Chirimuuta: 'The Brain Abstracted' [MIT 2024], p.237