A set of propositions that attempt to describe something. Theory ≡ Method ≡ A set of requirements for employment in theory assessment.

Descriptive Theory ≡ Normative Theory ≡ Theory ≡ Methodology ≡ A set of propositions that attempts to describe something. Descriptive Theory ≡ Normative Theory ≡ A set of propositions that attempts to prescribe something. A set of propositions. Theory ≡ A normative theory that prescribes the rules which ought to be employed in theory assessment. Methodology ≡  

A topic of inquiry. Question ≡

Many different theories can attempt to answer the same topic/question. Theory Acceptance Record 1 N In the encyclopedia, each theory is an attempt to answer a certain question/topic. Many different theories can attempt to answer the same topic/question. Each historical instance of a theory’s acceptance is fixed in an acceptance record.

The same relation holds for theories and topics of all types. Normative Topic Normative Theory Acceptance Record 1 N The same relation holds for theories and topics of all types.

Each method is answer to a certain topic/question. Employment Record 1 N Each method is answer to a certain topic/question.

Normative Topic Method Employment Record 1 N A method is an answer to a normative question concerning how a theory of a certain kind ought to be evaluated.

Descriptive Theory ≡ Normative Theory ≡ Theory ≡ Method ≡ A set of propositions that attempts to describe something. Descriptive Theory ≡ Normative Theory ≡ A set of propositions that attempts to prescribe something. A set of propositions. Theory ≡ A set of requirements for employment in theory assessment. Method ≡ Method is a subtype of normative theory.

A set of criteria for theory evaluation. Method ≡

A normative discipline that formulates the rules which ought to be employed in theory assessment. Methodology ≡

A method can be accepted… 1 Method Acceptance Record N Employment Record A method can be accepted… … as well as employed.

text = “an empirical theory is acceptable only if its predictions have been empirically confirmed” HD Method: Method text = “under what conditions should an empirical theory be accepted?” : Question agent = Physics community element = HD method stance = acceptance from = circa 1830 until = present : Acceptance Record agent = NP/Physics community stance = employment from = circa 1700 : Employment Record

Only methods have the capacity of being employed. Scenario 1: Only methods have the capacity of being employed. Method Theory Descriptive Theory Normative Theory Acceptance Record N 1 Employment Record

Normative theories of all types can be employed. Scenario 2: Normative theories of all types can be employed. Method Theory Descriptive Theory Normative Theory Acceptance Record N 1 Employment Record

Employed Method ≡ A method is said to be employed if its requirements constitute the actual expectations of the community.

Norm Employment ≡ A norm is said to be employed if its requirements constitute the actual expectations of an epistemic agent.

Explicable-Implicit: Can it be, in principle, formulated as a set of propositions? Yes No Has it been openly formulated by the agent? Explicable-Implicit: Propositional knowledge that hasn’t been openly formulated by the agent. Explicit: Propositional knowledge that has been openly formulated by the agent. Inexplicable: Non-propositional knowledge, i.e. knowledge that cannot, even in principle, be formulated as a set of propositions. Explicit Tacit/Implicit Propositional Non-Propositional

Descriptive Normative Explicit Explicable-Implicit Natural Science Theories Social Science Theories Formal Science Theories Ethical Norms Aesthetic Norms Methods  

Accepted Employed Explicit Explicable-Implicit Openly accepted methodological dicta often found in textbooks, encyclopedias, and research guidelines. The actual expectation of the agent of which the agent is well aware but may or may not consider acceptable. The actual expectation of the agent of which the agent is not fully aware and cannot explicitly articulate if asked. The unarticulated methodological dicta which the agent accepts as the right way of conducting science.

Normative Theory Theory Definition Descriptive Theory The ontology of the encyclopedia currently includes three subtypes of theory – descriptive theories, normative theories, and definitions.

Normative Theory Theory Descriptive Theory The ontology of theoretical scientonomy currently does not include definitions.

A statement of the meaning of a term. Definition ≡ A statement of the meaning of a term.

Theory Acceptance ≡ A theory is said to be accepted if it is taken as the best available description or prescription of its object.

Theory Acceptance ≡ A theory is said to be accepted by an epistemic agent if it is taken as the best available answer to its respective question.

A set of all accepted theories and employed methods. Scientific Mosaic ≡ A set of all accepted theories and employed methods.

Scientific Mosaic ≡ Method ≡ Theory ≡ A set of all accepted theories and employed methods. Method ≡ A set of requirements for employment in theory assessment. Theory ≡ A set of propositions that attempt to describe something.  

A set of all epistemic elements accepted and/or employed by an epistemic agent. Scientific Mosaic ≡

Method Theory Descriptive Theory Normative Theory Question Acceptance Record N 1 Employment Record Definition