Wittgenstein II and Kuhn

Question 1

Explain constructivism and relativism.

Answer 1

According to constructivism, our observations construct the theories and therefore, the facts. Constructivism then implies relativism. The truth is relative to the observation.

Question 2

Explain Wittgenstein II.

Answer 2

According to Wittgenstein II (cf. Wittgenstein I), meaning depends on the use, rather than the reference. This leads to the problem of language in general: is a private language possible? According to Wittgenstein II, it is not, language depends on rules and these rules have to be publicly accessible.

Question 3

Explain Thomas Kuhn’s philosophy of science.

Answer 3

Kuhn was not looking for a demarcation criterion. Instead, he focused on a descriptive view of science, how does science develop?

0. prescientific period.
1. normal science period.
2. abnormal science period.
3. revolutionary period.

Question 4

Explain Kuhn’s demarcation criteria.

Answer 4

Kuhn accidentally found a demarcation criterion. Science has a paradigm, whereas pseudoscience does not.

Question 5

What are possible accepted paradigms in psychology?

Answer 5

Possible accepted paradigms in psychology are evolutionary psychology, maybe materialism. Keep in mind that there was no consensus on behaviourism.