Mapping the Unseen Territories of Empiricism

Hi there! The climate in Eindhoven is gradually improving, which has positively impacted my daily routine. I am now waking up on time, and my schedule is gradually returning to normalcy. My daughter and I have resumed our regular walks, and overall, it seems like we have overcome the extreme weather conditions. However, it's important to note that the forecast indicates a potentially colder February. Today, I would like to discuss the constraints associated with empiricism but first…

Weekly Inventory Check

Empiricism is all about learning through firsthand experience. It means that what you personally go through is what matters, and things you can't directly experience can't be considered. Essentially, keeping a journal, jotting down your thoughts, and setting goals is a form of empiricism. You are reflecting on your experiences, documenting them, and discussing them-everything resonating well with your five senses. Keep up with these practices, as there are significant benefits to writing things down, questioning yourself, and self-evaluation. Stay tuned for an upcoming surprise in the next few weeks that will enhance your journaling experience!

Mapping the Unseen Territories of Empiricism

Empiricism, a branch of philosophy, centers on learning through direct experience. In earlier times, reliance heavily rested on logical and theoretical models, like the outdated notion of the body being composed of three blobs – blood, water, and bile. Pioneered by thinkers like David Hume, empiricism shifted focus from unproven theories to information derived from direct observation, touch, and hearing – essentially, data gathered through our five senses. While empiricism has greatly influenced natural sciences like physics, chemistry and biology, making them more objective, challenges arise in the realm of social sciences. Disciplines like psychology, shaped by thinkers such as Freud and Kahneman, frequently encounter subjectivity. Social science research grapples with intricacies, commencing with the challenge of biased sample selection. As social scientists gather information through samples, frequently drawn from university students, there exists the risk of misrepresentation of the broader population, potentially leading to skewed conclusions.

The scientific process to be proven involves crafting hypotheses, conducting tests, and drawing conclusions. Yet, even in the natural sciences, a margin of error exists. In the social sciences, characterized by subjectivity, empirical validation becomes notably challenging. Alongside the previously mentioned issues like skewed participant demographics, additional complexities arise, including the necessity for statistical measures such as a 95% confidence interval and a p-value slightly above 0.05 to substantiate the hypothesis. Additionally, personal biases, rooted in a predisposition to believe in a certain outcome, can inadvertently influence the research process, potentially leading to the fulfillment of initially held beliefs, thus introducing a bias that may distort the research outcomes. Academic fraud is another layer on top of this pertinent issue. The podcast I regularly tune into, Freakonomics, presented a thought-provoking revelation about the prevalence of fraudulent research papers in esteemed institutions like Harvard, Duke, and Stanford, estimating it to be approximately 2 percent annually or 1 in 1,000 papers. The pressure to publish for career advancement sometimes overrides the commitment to genuine scientific discovery, particularly in prestigious institutions.

There is more to empiricism which I am reserving to discuss in the next newsletter.

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·  This article delves into Hume's philosophy of empiricism and its implications. Hume's empiricism is grounded in the notion that all human knowledge ultimately originates from sensory experience.

·  In this article, the author illustrates a real-life example of empiricism at work. Empiricism, whether termed inspect-and-adapt, PDCA, or the Scientific Method, forms the bedrock of science.

·  This article explores the significance of empiricism in shaping the course of science. The emergence of empiricism has revolutionized scientific inquiry by offering a fresh perspective on exploring the natural world.

Reel of the Week

Check out our reel of the week. Here I talk about pseudoscience, that continues to persist, as some individuals perceive unproven hypotheses as scientific due to their superficial appearance, rather than being supported by rigorous scientific methods that genuine science employs.

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The Weekly Vasl Podcast

Our episode on How to stick with habits 98% of the time with accountability partners is out now! You can watch it below! Melissa and I engaged in a captivating conversation this Friday, delving into topics like psychology, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution through behavioral management. Melissa shared her journey, steering the discussion towards her transition from mechanical engineering to psychology—an unexpected shift driven by her true interests. Back in the day, psychology was considered a taboo subject, lacking favor in many eyes. As the conversation unfolded, the duo touched on the issue of racism, exploring how certain job roles were still influenced by an individual's identity. Melissa, now a psychology professor deeply involved in expanding her Berkeley habit lab, shed light on her commitment to breaking barriers. She emphasised the importance of accountability and her current venture in helping clients stick to habits with an impressive 98% success rate. The dialogue promised to be both insightful and thought-provoking.

We are also on Spotify, Apple, Google, and wherever you listen!

The Round Table

We are kicking off The Round Table this month with a set of individuals eager to enhance their interviewing and communication skills for better job prospects. I'll share updates on its progress soon—I'm genuinely thrilled about this initiative! The next session begins in March 2024. If you're keen, feel free to join by signing up through this link.

Thoughts to Leave You With

Often, we come across new information about various things, and this continual learning process allows us to delve deeper into different subjects. Currently, my interest lies in empiricism, spurred by the podcasts I have been listening to. A few weeks ago, I was captivated by geopolitics due to ongoing conflicts. Throughout, my enthusiasm for learning and curiosity have remained constant.

What I want to convey is not to simply believe in your own perspective without questioning. Instead, I encourage you to gather ample information while maintaining a healthy dose of skepticism for every piece of information. Understand that information always comes with limitations. When making decisions, rely on a combination of well-researched facts and your intuition. This principle is applicable in various aspects of life, whether it's understanding current conflicts and then accompanying misinformation or navigating the complexities of scientific findings. It extends to parenting decisions and even how you approach your work tasks and goals. Thus, make informed choices, stay curious, and embrace the possibility of being incorrect. These three principles are valuable across all facets of life.