Lakatos, Imre (1922–74)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Worrall
Keyword(s):  
Philosophy Of Mathematics ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Scientific Development ◽  
Imre Lakatos ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Proof Analysis ◽  
Research Programmes ◽  
Mathematical Discovery

Imre Lakatos made important contributions to the philosophy of mathematics and of science. His ‘Proofs and Refutations’ (1963–4) develops a novel account of mathematical discovery. It shows that counterexamples (‘refutations’) play an important role in mathematics as well as in science and argues that both proofs and theorems are gradually improved by searching for counterexamples and by systematic ‘proof analysis’. His ‘methodology of scientific research programmes’ (which he presented as a ‘synthesis’ of the accounts of science given by Popper and by Kuhn) is based on the idea that science is best analysed, not in terms of single theories, but in terms of broader units called research programmes. Such programmes issue in particular theories, but in a way again governed by clear-cut heuristic principles. Lakatos claimed that his account supplies the sharp criteria of ‘progress’ and ‘degeneration’ missing from Kuhn’s account, and hence captures the ‘rationality’ of scientific development. Lakatos also articulated a ‘meta-methodology’ for appraising rival methodologies of science in terms of the ‘rational reconstructions’ of history they provide.

scholarly journals Is the secularization research programme progressing? Debate on Jörg Stolz’s article on Secularization theories in the 21st century: ideas, evidence, and problems

2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 323-329
Author(s):  
David Voas
Keyword(s):  
21St Century ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
Imre Lakatos ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Research Programmes

The methodology of scientific research programmes, developed by Imre Lakatos, can help us to identify which theories are strong or weak. Applying this approach suggests that the secularization research programme is progressing, as Stolz argues. Some of the recent advances have been more successful than others, however. In particular, we have done better at understanding how secularization happens than why it happens.

scholarly journals MOKSLAS IR VERTYBĖS: ISTORINĖS MOKSLO FILOSOFIJOS MOKYKLOS METODOLOGINIS PROBLEMIŠKUMAS

Problemos ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albinas Plėšnys
Keyword(s):  
Philosophy Of Science ◽  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Logical Analysis ◽  
Scientific Development ◽  
Historical Period ◽  
Historical School ◽  
Cognitive Values ◽  
Research Programmes

Istorinė mokslo filosofijos mokykla siūlo naują, palyginti su nonormatyvine mokykla, mokslo filosofijos tikslų bei uždavinių interpretaciją. Pagrindiniu jos uždaviniu tampa ne loginė mokslo žinių analizė, o tyrimas tų įsitikinimų bei įvaizdžių, kurių tam tikru metu laikėsi mokslo visuomenė. Tačiau istorinė mokykla nenurodo principų, kriterijų arba pagrindų, kuriais remdamasi ji apibrėžtų savąją tyrimo sritį, nepagrindžia, kodėl, tarkime, turime analizuoti vien mokslo teorijų, t. y. pasaulėvaizdinį, o ne platesnį pasaulėžiūrinį kontekstą. Svarbiausias naujojo požiūrio trūkumas yra mokslo žinių autonomiškumo prielaida, tai, kad mokslo žinios nepriklauso nuo pasaulėžiūrinio ar filosofinio konteksto, ir prielaida, kad mokslui svarbios yra tik santykinės kognityvinės vertybės. Kaip rodo mokslo istorija, abi šios prielaidos yra klaidingos. Mūsų nuomone, mokslo žinių istorinė analizė turėtų atsižvelgti ir į metafizinių sistemų kontekstą. Mokslo raidą apibūdina ne tiek paradigmų ar mokslinio tyrimo programų, kiek bendresnių mokslo metafizinių tyrimo programų kaita. Pagrindiniai žodžiai: normatyvinė mokslo filosofija, istorinė mokslo filosofijos mokykla, paradigma, mokslinio tyrimo programa, kognityvinės vertybės, loginė analizė, mokslo metafizinė tyrimo programa. SCIENCE AND VALUES: THE PROBLEM OF METHODOLOGY IN THE HISTORICAL SCHOOL OF PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCEAlbinas Plėšnys SummaryAdherents of the historical school of philosophy of science propose a new conception of the aims and task of philosophy of science in comparison with the followers of normative philosophy of science. Investigation of those convictions and images that were accepted in a certain historical period, but not the logical analysis of knowledge becomes the main problem in the historical school of philosophy of science. This approach overturns the old methodological status of philosophy of science. But the new point of view isn’t ftawless, either. The main fault of the new position is the presumption that the scientific knowledge functions as an autonomous system irrespective of the philosophical or theological context and the conception that cognitive values only are significant in scientific research. From our point of view, analysis of scientific knowledge without consideration of the metaphysical context is invalid, because science is subordinate to this context. Change of metaphysicalscientific research programmes but not the shift of paradigms or scientific research programmes probably take place in the process of scientific development. Keywords: normative philosophy of science, historical school of philosophy of science, paradigm, scientific research programmes, cognitive values, logical analysis, metaphysical-scientific research programmes.

scholarly journals Progressive and Degenerative Journals: On the Growth and Appraisal of Knowledge in Scholarly Publishing

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Dunleavy
Keyword(s):  
Philosophy Of Science ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Scholarly Publishing ◽  
Historical Evolution ◽  
Scholarly Journals ◽  
Journal Quality ◽  
Imre Lakatos ◽  
Alternative Framework ◽  
Research Programmes ◽  
Publication Practices

Despite continued attention, finding adequate criteria for distinguishing “good” from “bad”scholarly journals remains an elusive goal. In this essay, I propose a solution informed by thework of Imre Lakatos and his methodology of scientific research programmes (MSRP). I beginby reviewing several notable attempts at appraising journal quality – focusing primarily on theimpact factor and development of journal blacklists and whitelists. In doing so, I note theirlimitations and link their overarching goals to those found within the philosophy of science. Iargue that Lakatos’s MSRP and specifically his classifications of “progressive” and“degenerative” research programmes can be analogized and repurposed for the evaluation ofscholarly journals. I argue that this alternative framework resolves some of the limitationsdiscussed above and offers a more considered evaluation of journal quality – one that helpsaccount for the historical evolution of journal-level publication practices and attendantcontributions to the growth (or stunting) of scholarly knowledge. By doing so, the seemingproblem of journal demarcation is diminished. In the process I utilize two novel tools (themistake index and scite index) to further operationalize aspects of the MSRP.

THE PRINCIPLES AND ACTIVITIES OF THE NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY IN THE ARCTIC ZONE OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikhail Bubynin ◽  
Mikhail Bubynin ◽  
Valery Abramov ◽  
Valery Abramov ◽  
Gennady Zabolotnikov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Development Strategy ◽  
Russian Federation ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Scientific Development ◽  
Federal State ◽  
Arctic Zone ◽  
The Russian Federation

The paper considers the priorities of the state policy of the Russian Federation in the Arctic, from the point of view of the development of scientific research, identified by the main strategic documents of national policy and security in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. Measures for implementation of priorities in the development of scientific research in the Arctic can be divided into three main sections: 1. Scientific projects and expeditions in the Arctic; 2. International activities; 3. Coordination and implementation of integrated research in the Arctic. Note that currently the Ministry of education and science of the Russian Federation develops the Analytical Coordination Program “Comprehensive research of the Arctic and Antarctic”, in cooperation with the federal state bodies and Governance of the Subjects of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. The mechanism of the Program will ensure coordination between state bodies for integrated scientific researches in the Arctic in the interests of economic and scientific development of the region, and the creation of the scientific, technical and technological reserve in order to ensure of national security in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation.

Patents and Scientific Research

2015 ◽  
pp. 135-155
Author(s):  
Sulan Wong
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Patent System ◽  
Scientific Development ◽  
Patent Litigation ◽  
Definition Of

It is argued that patents encourage scientific development, benefiting society by creating useful products and services that improve the quality of life. However, by granting exclusive rights of exploitation, patents create situations in which they interfere with the exercise of the freedom of scientific research. This work examines five scenarios where this problem can be seen and the utilitarian function of patents is questioned. Firstly, the effects of research funding in the definition of the lines and research objectives are observed. Secondly, the anticommons is studied, as it is a situation where excessive fragmentation of ownership in scientific knowledge may prevent its use. Thirdly, broad patents and their implications are examined. Fourthly, the deterrent power of patent litigation, which creates an unexpected business model, is analyzed. Fifthly, secrecy is looked upon, as it is encouraged by the logic in which the patent system works.

Macroeconomics as a Set of Scientific Research Programmes: New Opportunities and Competitive Advantages

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-16
Author(s):  
Alexandr Nikiforov ◽  
Olga Antipina ◽  
Nina Miklashevskaya
Keyword(s):  
Economic Theory ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
New Keynesian ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Research Programmes

The authors consider Macroeconomics as a set of interrelateol research programmes which incorporates such schools of thought as Neoclassical, Keynesian, Neoclassical synthesis, Monetarism, New Classical and New Keynesian. This approach has a number of competitive advantages over a standard course and provides new opportunities for researchers, academics, entrepreneurs and students of economic theory.

scholarly journals Managing Balance: Pursuit of Equilibrium Permeates the History of Science and Influences Contemporary Investigations

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Kasmire
Keyword(s):  
Sustainability Science ◽  
Multiple Scales ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Subsequent Development ◽  
Scientific Development ◽  
Human Society ◽  
Carbon Neutrality ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Successes And Failures

AbstractThe word “sustainable” débuted in 1987 but has since become a hot topic issue, both for scientific research and wider society. Although sustainability may appear to be a thoroughly twenty-first century goal, sustainability science concepts and goals such as balance, endurance, order and change, reach back at least as far as the proto-scientific investigations of alchemy. Both alchemy and sustainability science can be understood as systems or strategies which individuals and societies can use to organise and manage themselves in a complex world filled with dynamic problems. Alchemy never created a panacea or transmuted base metals into gold because those goals proved to be based on fundamentally flawed theories and premises. Nevertheless, alchemy did succeed in helping adherents manage themselves and their societies in advantageous ways. Alchemy also positively and significantly influenced subsequent scientific development. Likewise, science helps humanity manage itself on multiple scales, from the individual to the international, and will certainly contribute to further scientific research and development. However, it is not yet known whether carbon neutrality, entirely renewable energy and other sustainability goals will be achieved or whether these goals will also come to be seen as based on flawed understandings and theories. For this reason, this article explores key features of alchemy, traces how they persisted through Enlightenment-era science and how they continue to be present and influential within scientific efforts today. The article goes on to reflect on how the history, development and continued use of concepts such as balance, endurance, order and change may be useful portents of how humans and human society will manage themselves in the future. Such reflections may also temper the zeal with which individuals that accept or reject sustainability goals treat each other, thereby offering a way for divergent groups to manage their interactions. Flawed theories prevented alchemy from achieving many of its primary stated goals. However, alchemy was very beneficial, both during its period of use and subsequently through its influence on subsequent development. This article identifies ideas from alchemy that were originally beneficial and that have persisted through Enlightenment-era science and into contemporary science. The article also explores how those ideas continue to influence scientific and sustainability goals today. Understanding and reflecting on alchemy’s successes and failures facilitates reflection on the potential successes and failures of sustainability and the human consequences of trying to manage a sustainable future.

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