Bokulich, Alisa (2019) Calibration, Coherence, and Consilience in Radiometric Measures of Geologic Time. [Preprint]

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Abstract

In 2012 the Geological Time Scale, which sets the temporal framework for studying the
timing and tempo of all major geological, biological, and climatic events in Earth's
history, had one-quarter of its boundaries moved in a wide-spread revision of radiometric
dates. The philosophy of metrology helps us understand this episode, and it, in turn,
elucidates the notions of calibration, coherence, and consilience. I argue that coherence
testing is a distinct activity preceding calibration and consilience, and highlight the value
of discordant evidence and tradeoffs scientists face in calibration. The iterative nature of
calibration, moreover, raises the problem of legacy data.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Bokulich, Alisa abokulic@bu.edu
Keywords:	geology, coherence, calibration, consilience, metrology, legacy data, Geological Time Scale, radiometric
Subjects:	General Issues > Data Specific Sciences > Earth Sciences General Issues > Evidence General Issues > History of Science Case Studies General Issues > Models and Idealization
Depositing User:	Alisa Bokulich
Date Deposited:	23 Aug 2019 13:58
Last Modified:	23 Aug 2019 13:58
Item ID:	16360
Subjects:	General Issues > Data Specific Sciences > Earth Sciences General Issues > Evidence General Issues > History of Science Case Studies General Issues > Models and Idealization
Date:	22 August 2019
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/16360

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