Prototype theory is a cognitive science concept that explains how humans categorize and understand concepts and objects. Developed in the 1970s by cognitive scientist Eleanor Rosch, this theory posits that instead of categorizing items based on strict definitions or a set of necessary and sufficient conditions, people categorize them based on typical or "prototypical" examples. ### Key Features of Prototype Theory: 1. **Prototypes**: A prototype is the most representative or "best" example of a category.
A **monogenic semigroup** is a particular type of algebraic structure in the field of abstract algebra. Specifically, a semigroup is a set equipped with an associative binary operation. In the case of a monogenic semigroup, there is a specific defining feature: the semigroup is generated by a single element.
A syncategorematic term is a word or expression that does not have a meaning on its own but functions to modify or qualify the meaning of other terms in a sentence. Unlike categorematic terms, which can stand alone as complete ideas (like nouns or verbs), syncategorematic terms require additional context or other words to convey a complete thought.
The terms "concept" and "object" can have different meanings depending on the context in which they are used. Below are general definitions and explanations for both terms: ### Concept A concept is an abstract idea or a general notion that represents something. It is a mental representation or a way to categorize and understand particular attributes, characteristics, or relationships. Concepts help people to organize knowledge, draw conclusions, and communicate effectively about complex ideas.
Predictive power refers to the ability of a model or tool to accurately forecast future outcomes based on past and present data. In various fields such as statistics, machine learning, finance, and social sciences, predictive power is a crucial measure of how well a model can predict unknown data points. Key aspects of predictive power include: 1. **Accuracy**: The degree to which predictions made by the model match actual outcomes.
The philosophy of science is a branch of philosophy that examines the foundations, methods, and implications of science. It explores questions related to the nature of scientific inquiry, the structure of scientific theories, the status of scientific knowledge, and the ethical considerations surrounding scientific practice. The philosophy of science can be broken down into several disciplines or subfields, each addressing different aspects and perspectives.
"Philosophy of science stubs" typically refers to short or incomplete entries related to the philosophy of science in databases or encyclopedias, such as Wikipedia. These stubs are articles that provide minimal information and are often marked for expansion. The philosophy of science itself is a branch of philosophy that explores the foundations, assumptions, and implications of science, including the nature and validity of scientific reasoning, the methodologies employed in scientific inquiry, and the ethical and societal implications of scientific knowledge.
Androcentrism is a perspective or worldview that places male experiences, perspectives, and values at the center of societal norms, practices, and understanding, often marginalizing or ignoring female experiences and contributions. This bias can manifest in various fields, including literature, science, history, and culture, where male viewpoints are considered the standard or default. The term is derived from "andro," meaning male, and "centrism," indicating a focus or emphasis on a central point or idea.
Antipositivism is a philosophical stance that argues against the positivist approach, particularly in the social sciences. Positivism is the belief that the only authentic knowledge is that which is based on empirical evidence and that such knowledge can be acquired through scientific methods. Positivists typically assert that all meaningful statements can be verified through observation and experience.
Antiscience refers to attitudes, beliefs, and actions that reject or oppose scientific reasoning, methods, and evidence. It encompasses a wide range of phenomena, including skepticism towards scientific consensus, the promotion of pseudo-science, misinformation, and beliefs that contradict established scientific understanding. Antiscience can manifest in various forms, such as: 1. **Rejection of Scientific Consensus**: Dismissing established scientific views in fields like climate change, vaccines, evolution, and healthcare without credible evidence.
Epistemic humility refers to the recognition of the limits of one's knowledge and understanding. It involves an awareness that one may not have all the answers and that our beliefs, perspectives, and conclusions might be flawed or incomplete. This concept encourages an openness to new information, a willingness to consider alternative viewpoints, and an acknowledgment that our understanding of complex issues is often provisional and subject to change.
An experimental system generally refers to a setup or framework designed to test hypotheses, explore scientific principles, or investigate particular phenomena through structured experimentation. This concept is applicable in various fields such as science, engineering, social sciences, and more. Here are some key characteristics: 1. **Controlled Environment**: Experimental systems often involve a controlled setting where variables can be isolated to determine cause-and-effect relationships. This allows researchers to manipulate one or more independent variables while observing changes in dependent variables.
Folk science refers to the common, intuitive understanding and explanations of natural phenomena that are held by the general public, often based on everyday experiences and observations rather than formal scientific training or rigorous methodologies. It encompasses the beliefs, practices, and heuristics that people use to make sense of the world around them, and it can include traditional knowledge, folklore, and anecdotes passed down through generations.
The Hierarchy of the Sciences is a concept that categorizes scientific disciplines based on the complexity and foundational principles of study. This hierarchy often reflects a pyramid-like structure where the sciences are organized from the most foundational or basic at the base to the more complex and specialized at the top. The arrangement typically emphasizes the interconnections between different fields and how they build upon one another.
Inquiry is the process of seeking information, knowledge, or understanding through questioning, exploration, and investigation. It involves asking questions, gathering data, analyzing evidence, and drawing conclusions based on findings. Inquiry can occur in various contexts, including scientific research, education, and everyday problem-solving. In education, inquiry-based learning encourages students to explore topics deeply and develop critical thinking skills by formulating their own questions and seeking answers. This method often promotes active engagement, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of subject matter.
A. Grace Cook doesn't appear to be a widely recognized figure in mainstream literature, science, or popular culture based on data up to October 2023. However, it's possible that the name belongs to a lesser-known author, artist, or individual in a specific niche. If you can provide additional context or specify the area (e.g.
Methodical culturalism is not a widely recognized or established term in academic literature. However, it seems to imply an approach that systematically examines cultural phenomena, practices, beliefs, and their impact on social behavior and institutions. In essence, it suggests a structured methodology for studying culture in a detailed and analytical manner.
The Philosophy of Science Association (PSA) is an organization that promotes scholarly research and discussion in the field of philosophy of science. It was founded in 1968 to foster communication and cooperation among those interested in philosophical issues related to the sciences. The PSA organizes conferences, publishes research, and supports educational initiatives in philosophy of science. The association serves as a platform for scholars to present their findings, engage in debates, and collaborate on projects.
"Physics envy" is a term often used in the social sciences and humanities to describe a phenomenon where scholars in these fields seek to adopt the methods, standards, and rigor of the natural sciences, particularly physics. This term expresses a certain admiration for the perceived precision, objectivity, and empirical validation found in physics, which some practitioners of the social sciences feel is lacking in their own disciplines.

Pinned article: Introduction to the OurBigBook Project

Welcome to the OurBigBook Project! Our goal is to create the perfect publishing platform for STEM subjects, and get university-level students to write the best free STEM tutorials ever.
Everyone is welcome to create an account and play with the site: ourbigbook.com/go/register. We belive that students themselves can write amazing tutorials, but teachers are welcome too. You can write about anything you want, it doesn't have to be STEM or even educational. Silly test content is very welcome and you won't be penalized in any way. Just keep it legal!
We have two killer features:
  1. topics: topics group articles by different users with the same title, e.g. here is the topic for the "Fundamental Theorem of Calculus" ourbigbook.com/go/topic/fundamental-theorem-of-calculus
    Articles of different users are sorted by upvote within each article page. This feature is a bit like:
    • a Wikipedia where each user can have their own version of each article
    • a Q&A website like Stack Overflow, where multiple people can give their views on a given topic, and the best ones are sorted by upvote. Except you don't need to wait for someone to ask first, and any topic goes, no matter how narrow or broad
    This feature makes it possible for readers to find better explanations of any topic created by other writers. And it allows writers to create an explanation in a place that readers might actually find it.
    Figure 1.
    Screenshot of the "Derivative" topic page
    . View it live at: ourbigbook.com/go/topic/derivative
  2. local editing: you can store all your personal knowledge base content locally in a plaintext markup format that can be edited locally and published either:
    This way you can be sure that even if OurBigBook.com were to go down one day (which we have no plans to do as it is quite cheap to host!), your content will still be perfectly readable as a static site.
    Figure 2.
    You can publish local OurBigBook lightweight markup files to either https://OurBigBook.com or as a static website
    .
    Figure 3.
    Visual Studio Code extension installation
    .
    Figure 4.
    Visual Studio Code extension tree navigation
    .
    Figure 5.
    Web editor
    . You can also edit articles on the Web editor without installing anything locally.
    Video 3.
    Edit locally and publish demo
    . Source. This shows editing OurBigBook Markup and publishing it using the Visual Studio Code extension.
    Video 4.
    OurBigBook Visual Studio Code extension editing and navigation demo
    . Source.
  3. https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ourbigbook/ourbigbook-media/master/feature/x/hilbert-space-arrow.png
  4. Infinitely deep tables of contents:
    Figure 6.
    Dynamic article tree with infinitely deep table of contents
    .
    Descendant pages can also show up as toplevel e.g.: ourbigbook.com/cirosantilli/chordate-subclade
All our software is open source and hosted at: github.com/ourbigbook/ourbigbook
Further documentation can be found at: docs.ourbigbook.com
Feel free to reach our to us for any help or suggestions: docs.ourbigbook.com/#contact