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

2. 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 ≡

3. A topic of inquiry.
Question ≡

4. 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.

5. 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.

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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. A set of criteria for theory evaluation.
Method ≡

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

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

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

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

17. 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

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

19. 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.

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

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

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

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

24. 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.

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

26. 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.

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

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