PHIL 008 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Methodology, Normal Science, Paradigm Shift
10 Jun 2020
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Like logical positivism and popper, kuhn also wants to capture the nature and growth of scientific knowledge. Paradigmatic world view heavily theory-laden (theories use of instruments, acceptable evidence, exemplars: no neutral observation reports can be used in favour of a paradigm. Kuhn: when paradigms enter, as they must, into a debate about paradigm choice, their role is necessarily circular. Each group uses its own paradigm in that paradigm"s defence. Main feature of normal science: paradigms and the absence of falsification attempts, puzzle solving (anomalies); elaboration and refinement of theories. Crisis: may occur when anomalies resist resolution or new ones keep emerging, may lead to revolution: earlier concepts and theories are discarded, and standards for theory appraisal change. Paradigm change: new paradigm may emerge when it succeeds in resolving anomalies of its predecessor. Growth of knowledge occurs mainly within paradigms, not between paradigms. But scientific progress on balance does occur increasingly many puzzles are being solved.
