phenomena and facts

CSGnet Archive CSG1998
1

i.kurtzer

Within the dialogue on the limits of PCT's testablity and, more generally, on
what its explanations are directed towards there seem some implicit stances
taken on what needs to be explained. Subsequently, a talk of artifact vs.
phenomena has been introduced and i invite and wish to hear any comments on how
one makes this demarcation.

i.

2

[From Bruce Gregory (980127.0648 EST)]

i.kurtzer

Within the dialogue on the limits of PCT's testablity and, more generally, on
what its explanations are directed towards there seem some implicit stances
taken on what needs to be explained. Subsequently, a talk of artifact vs.
phenomena has been introduced and i invite and wish to hear any comments on

how

one makes this demarcation.

Behavior applies to individuals. Phenomena apply to aggregates. Artifacts are
erroneous conclusions about individuals made on the basis of studies of
aggregates.

Bruce

3

i.kurtzer (970127)

[From Bruce Gregory (980127.0648 EST)]

i.kurtzer
a talk of artifact vs.
phenomena has been introduced and i invite and wish to hear any comments on

how

one makes this demarcation.

Behavior applies to individuals. Phenomena apply to aggregates. Artifacts are
erroneous conclusions about individuals made on the basis of studies of
aggregates.

Are you saying that individuals behavior has nothing to do with phenomena?
That only aggregates display phenomena?

i.

4

[From Bruce Gregory (980128.1453 EST)]

i.kurtzer (970127)

Are you saying that individuals behavior has nothing to do with phenomena?
That only aggregates display phenomena?

Each time a ball player comes to bat, he acts in such a way as
to produce some outcome. The player's batting average describes
the history of those outcomes. The batter's average is a
"phenomenon" in the sense that a relationship between pellets
are bar presses is a phenomenon. The player's actions on his
next trip to the plate will not be governed by the phenomenon of
his batting average -- they "have nothing to do" with this
phenomenon. PCT is concerned with explaining the batter's
behavior, not with explaining his batting average.

Bruce