Paul K. Feyerabend’s Method against Method

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 271-290
Author(s):  
Aivaras Stepukonis ◽  

The article examines and criticizes Paul Karl Feyerabend’s seminal work entitled, “How to Be a Good Empiricist—A Plea for Tolerance in Matters Epistemological” which persuasively argued for a pluralistic view of scientific knowledge and theoretical truth. Throughout the article, a number of polemical points, analytic elaborations, and broader philosophical concerns are raised regarding the notions of consistency condition, meaning invariance, theoretical alternatives, and the very principle of theoretical pluralism. The article concludes that Feyerabend’s call for a plurality of theories as the surest path to the progress of science is in need of numerous conceptual qualifications, provoking the reader into critical thinking about the deeper underpinnings of science while providing very few ready-made answers to the problems enunciated.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Holtz

There are many factors that contribute to the present crisis of confidence in psychology, among them epistemological causes: Under pressure to ‘publish or perish’ and to ‘get visible or vanish’ in order to survive in an increasingly globalized academic job market, psychologists may often be too eager to find their hypotheses confirmed by empirical data. They may also not pay enough attention to alternative theories and consequently often miss opportunities to learn from their failures to obtain the expected results in their studies. In this paper, I propose to start asking two questions physicist John Platt had proposed in 1964 on a regular basis in the field of psychology as a means of fostering critical thinking or to encourage a critical approach to the growth of scientific knowledge: Are there reasons to expect a different outcome, and what consequence is it going to have if the study does not yield the expected results? I explore what potential these two questions have for ensuring epistemological progress by asking them with respect to social-priming research, which is one of the research programmes that have recently been criticized in the course of the ‘reproducibility debate’.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 111
Author(s):  
Sigouveny Cruz Cardoso ◽  
Erivanildo Lopes da Silva

No ensino de Ciências, o conhecimento científico para a tomada de decisão pode ser um fator preponderante para fundamentar o desenvolvimento de abordagens metodológicas para a resolução de problemas em sala de aula. Desse modo, a História da Ciência é considerada uma abordagem fundamental para essa contextualização do conhecimento científico em propostas didáticas que visem o desenvolvimento de habilidades cognitivas relacionadas ao pensamento crítico dos estudantes. Neste estudo, considera-se complexa a elaboração de propostas didáticas para o ensino de Ciências sem um modelo que direcione as atividades para tal finalidade. Então, esta pesquisa objetiva estabelecer aproximações teóricas entre a História da Ciência e o pensamento crítico para o ensino de Ciências, propondo um modelo teórico com articulações entre seus objetivos. Ao considerar o conhecimento para a tomada de decisão como um aspecto central dessas aproximações, o estudo apresenta correlações implícitas e explícitas para o planejamento de propostas didáticas. Essas articulações teóricas possuem implicações consideradas fundamentais para a educação científica, em virtude de apresentar um modelo teórico para ensinar Ciências pelas dimensões teóricas de análise, problematização e distinção de informações científicas, ao materializá-las em atividades de aprendizagem que viabilizem a tomada de decisão e a resolução de problemas científicos.Theoretical model of approaches for the teaching of Science between the premisses of the History of Science and critical thinkingAbstractIn Science education, scientific knowledge for decision-making can be a major factor to support the development of methodological approaches to problem solving in the classroom. In this way, the History of Science is considered a fundamental approach for this contextualization of scientific knowledge, in didactic proposals that aim at the development of cognitive skills related to students’ critical thinking. In this study, the elaboration of didactic proposals for the teaching of Science is considered complex, without a model that directs activities for this purpose. So, this research aims to establish theoretical approaches between the History of Science and critical thinking, for the teaching of Science, proposing a theoretical model with articulations between its objectives. When considering knowledge for decision making as a central aspect of these approaches, the study presents implicit and explicit correlations for the planning of didactic proposals. These theoretical articulations have implications considered fundamental for scientific education, as they present a theoretical model for teaching Science through the theoretical dimensions of analysis, problematization and distinction of contextualized scientific information, when materializing them in learning activities that enable decision-making and solving scientific problems.Keywords: History of science; Critical thinking; Theoretical approaches; Science teaching.


Author(s):  
Leonid Vakhovskyi ◽  

The article deals with the peculiarities of K. Popper’s theory of scientific knowledge, and shows the influence of the epistemological principles which were substantiated by the scientist on the approaches to the improvement of education and upbringing. The fundamental differences between the evolutionary epistemology of the outstanding philosopher and the traditional empirical and sensualistic theory of cognition, according to which knowledge flows into us from the outside through the senses, have been clarified. K. Popper argues that man is extremely active in acquiring knowledge, and information does not flow into him from the environment, but, on the contrary, man explores the environment and actively “sucks” information from it. The emphasis is placed on the fact that a person is not only active but also critical towards the information he receives. The results of K. Popper’s critical analysis of education and the shortcomings of the educational process in schools (inconsistency with innate human qualities, passivity of students in the learning process) are presented and the ways of overcoming them are suggested. The position of the philosopher on the peculiarities of state control over education, his idea of the goals of educational activities, the necessity to involve students in the construction of learning content, the change in the nature of relations between participants in the educational process, generalizations about the transformation of learning into solving problems, development of students’ critical thinking have been revealed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 94-98
Author(s):  
M.A. Simonenko ◽  
◽  
L.D. Krivykh ◽  

The subject matter of the article is term formation of the concept “critical thinking” in modern scientific language that is developing through integration of scientific knowledge enabling the application of various research tools. The authors suggest their definition to the term taking into account the existing definitions and keeping in mind both individual meaning components of the notion “critical thinking” and the attributes of the main denotatum, that is thinking human.


Author(s):  
Jon Stewart

Chapter 7 explores some key themes in a couple of Plato’s dialogues. It begins with an account of the argument of Callicles, who, in the Gorgias, claims that it is a law of nature that the stronger rule the weaker, and so there can be no talk about what is right or wrong since this is just a matter of human convention. He thus argues that one must strictly distinguish between human law or convention (νόμος‎) and nature (φύσις‎). This argument is an echo of the one made by the Athenian delegation in the Melian Dialogue as described by Thucydides. Socrates’ account of the myth of judgment and the afterlife at the end of the Gorgias is compared with the account given in Book XI of the Odyssey. The chapter also examines Socrates’ speech in the Apology. Here he explains how he regards his philosophical work of questioning people as a divine mission. He further explains that he has an inner daimon which warns him not to do ill-advised things; this is interpreted as a sign of inwardness. He portrays himself as the gadfly of Athens, constantly urging his fellow citizens to reflection and critical thinking. It is argued that Socrates represents a new principle of subjectivity and individuality, and for this reason he was perceived to be so dangerous to his contemporaries who relied on traditional values instead of scientific knowledge.


Author(s):  
R. A. Smirnova

The concept of social reality and the problems associated with its scientific knowledge are considered. Author considers three aspects of the meaning and significance of this concept to explicate it. The article analyzes the objective and subjective reasons that determine the theoretical and methodological conservatism of social and humanitarian sciences which is expressed in the ontologization of knowledge and the rejection of theoretical pluralism of scientific research. The article substantiates the basic principles of studying social reality in modern socio-humanitarian science which open up new perspectives of knowledge and transformation of the social world.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathrin Naegeli ◽  
Chloé Bouscary ◽  
Caroline Coch ◽  
Anja Fridrich ◽  
Rebecca Gugerli ◽  
...  

<p><em>Girls on Ice Switzerland</em> runs tuition-free wilderness science expeditions for young women from diverse backgrounds. The glacier expeditions interweave science (e.g. glaciology, geomorphology, environmental aspects), art and mountaineering. <em>Girls on Ice Switzerland</em> does not only intend to transfer scientific knowledge, but also aims on a general understanding of the scientific process, on a mediation of nature experiences and on an enhanced self-confidence and self-evaluation. A combination of inquire-based teaching, experiential learning, and the tangibility of climate change science in the alpine environment provide a unique teaching environment. This particular framework allows to communicate science to non- and potential not-yet-peers, to facilitate insights into the scientific work through hands-on experiences, and to enhance the participants’ general interest in science.</p><p>Between 2017 and 2019, <em>Girls on Ice Switzerland</em> organised four glacier expeditions, which were evaluated in detail by pre- and post-inquiry of the participants. Through both quantitative and qualitative methods, the evaluation focused on the (i) perception of science, (ii) scientific knowledge, (iii) critical thinking, (iv) interest in science, (v) self-assessment and self-efficiency and (vi) connection to nature. It showed that the programme overall reached its initially set aims and that it particularly fosters critical thinking, increases physical and intellectual self-confidence and strengthens confidence in women.</p><p>Here, we will present the programme <em>Girls on Ice Switzerland</em>, its link to <em>Inspiring Girls Expeditions</em> and the overall philosophy, but also highlight evaluation results that help to optimize the science communication by demanding a clear set of goals for different characteristics of the programme. The unique women-only environment is ideal to encourage young women to start studies within the field of natural sciences and strengthen young female scientists to pursue their academic career.</p>


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