Conceptual Dimensions of Theory Appraisal

Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A 19 (4):517 (1988)
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Abstract

AFTER ARGUING THAT LAUDAN’S ACCOUNT OF THE ROLE OF CONCEPTUAL CONSIDERATIONS IN THEORY APPRAISAL IS INADEQUATE AND UNSATISFYING IN A NUMBER OF RESPECTS, I SUGGEST SOME OF THE WAYS IN WHICH WE MIGHT MOVE TO DEVELOP AN ALTERNATIVE ACCOUNT. THIS ALTERNATIVE PRESUPPOSES A PROBLEM-SOLVING METHODOLOGY AND, UNLIKE THE LAUDANIAN APPROACH, AWARDS A CRUCIAL ROLE TO EMPIRICAL RESEARCH IN THE RESOLUTION OF THE CONCEPTUAL PROBLEMS TROUBLING A THEORY. THREE WAYS IN WHICH A THEORY MAY ENHANCE THE CONCEPTUAL RESOURCES WHICH IT SUPPLIES FOR EMPIRICAL PROBLEM SOLVING ARE CONSIDERED: THE FINE-TUNING OF THEORETICAL CONCEPTS; THE APPROPRIATION OF THE CONCEPTUAL RESOURCES OF THEORIES IN OTHER DOMAINS; AND THE ACHIEVEMENT OF GREATER CONSILIENCE. REFERENCE IS MADE TO SEVERAL HISTORICAL CASES IN WHICH SUCH ENHANCEMENT ACTUALLY OCCURRED

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Citations of this work

Indices of theory promise.Laurie Anne Whitt - 1992 - Philosophy of Science 59 (4):612-634.
Theory Pursuit: Between Discovery and Acceptance.Laurie Anne Whitt - 1990 - PSA Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association 1990 (1):467-483.
Ten Types of Scientific Progress.Andre Kukla - 1990 - PSA Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association 1990 (1):457-466.
Conceptual problems re-visited.Larry Laudan - 1988 - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A 19 (4):531-534.

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References found in this work

The best explanation: Criteria for theory choice.Paul R. Thagard - 1978 - Journal of Philosophy 75 (2):76-92.
Laudan on progress in science.John Losee - 1978 - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A 9 (4):333-340.

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