L6 - Kuhn and Feyerabend Flashcards
What did Kuhn argue that ‘Normal Science’ is?
Scientists engaging in ‘puzzle-solving’
Where the puzzles are dictated by the current paradigm.
Scientists only work within their current paradigm and see all else as false
Which philosopher of science is known for discussing paradigms?
Thomas Kuhn (1922-1996)
Scientists aim to invent new theories according to Kuhn.
True or False
False
Kuhn believes science is intolerant of other theories.
Instead, normal scientific research is directed to the articulation of those phenomena and theories that the paradigm already supplies.
How did Kuhn believe that science ‘progressed’?
Kuhn argues that science progresses as;
“a series of peaceful interludes punctuated by intellectually violent revolutions”
In which;
“one conceptual world view is replaced by another”
When and how do paradigms change according to Kuhn?
When the number of exceptions to a particular scientific framework grows too large.
Then there is a ‘crisis’ in a particular discipline
The crisis is resolved when a ‘breakthrough’ occurs and a new perspective (new paradigm) is introduced.
Who generally brought forth the new paradigms according to Kuhn?
Young people or those who are new to the field
those who are not yet consumed by the paradigm.
What is defined as Science according to Kuhn?
“What the scientific community of the day chooses to accept as science”
What is Kuhn’s “gold standard” when it comes to what is classed as science?
The assent of the relevant community
- The issue of paradigm choice can never be unequivocally settled by logic and experiment alone.*
- Science is a social construct*
Who was Paul Feyerabend (1924-1994)? What was his main work called?
He was a philosopher of science who wrote the book Against Method (1975).
- He was a prominent soldier in the German army, won an Iron Cross and took a bullet in the spine and couldn’t walk properly.*
- He was influenced greatly by the students of his time (protesting wars hippie movement etc.)*
What ideological label might you put on Feyerabend?
Epistemological Anarchist
How did Kuhn and Feyerabend differ?
Feyerabend took Kuhn’s ideas and pushed them further.
He claimed that knowledge is a social construction (like Kuhn) but unlike Kuhn said that there is nothing you can call a method.
What did Feyerabend think of scientific principles?
“The only defensible scientific principle is that of ‘anything goes’”
What were Feyerabend’s thoughts on the scientific method?
That the is nothing you can call a Method.
Scientists have used any and every method available to them (intuition, personal claims etc.)
Why did Feyerabend believe that science should be under democratic control?
Because science has a lot of power and influence over the population and scientists can be just as deceiving as politicians with their aims.
He thought that scientists were a danger to democracy because of this.
What were ‘Respectable Thinkers’ and ‘Cranks’ according to Feyerabend?
Respectable Thinkers: Willing to have all their claims scrutinised and will defend them.
Cranks: Those who are unwilling to take criticism and will defend their beliefs under all circumstances.
