POL114H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Win-Win Game, Dog Park, Billiard Ball
10 Jan 2017
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Falsi able, generalizable explanation: competing theory could prove it wrong. Generates testable hypothesis: over its large picture we can generate testable questions applicable to events. Makes assumptions: imp to acknowledge what those are, if they"re wrong, it"s hard for the theory to be right. Must simplify reality, leave out details: parsimony-> explain the most with the least; aka nice, short, to the point. Can only be refuted by another theory: scienti c process of theory building to come up with another model refuting original, no opinion refutes theory. > no restriction on discussion, level of opinion involved, socially constructive. Pov, we"re studying people who can be unpredictable and change their behaviour, so no xed laws apply. Predicting: at least anticipate what to avoid. Classical realism: interstate con ict is rooted in (bad) human nature, people are sel sh and naturally desire power. Thomas hobbes: life in the state of nature: is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.
