Ivanova, Milena (2010) Pierre Duhem’s Good Sense as a guide to Theory Choice. Studies in the History and Philosophy of Science, 41.

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Abstract

This paper examines Duhem’s concept of good sense as an attempt to support a non rule-governed account of rationality in theory choice. Faced with the underdetermination of theory by evidence thesis and the continuity thesis, Duhem tried to account for the ability of scientists to choose theories that continuously grow to a natural classification. I will examine the concept of good sense and the problems that stem from it. I will also present a recent attempt by David Stump to link good sense to virtue epistemology. I will argue that even though this approach can be useful for the better comprehension of the concept of good sense, there are some substantial differences between virtue epistemologists and Duhem. In the light of this reconstruction of good sense, I will propose a possible way to interpret the concept of good sense, which overcomes the noted problems and fits better with Duhem’s views on scientific method and motivation in developing the concept of good sense.

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Item Type:	Published Article or Volume
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Ivanova, Milena milena.ivanova@bristol.ac.uk
Keywords:	good sense, natural classification, novel predictions, theoretical virtues, unification, virtue epistemology
Subjects:	General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science General Issues > Philosophers of Science General Issues > Values In Science
Depositing User:	Dr Milena Ivanova
Date Deposited:	21 Jun 2011 11:21
Last Modified:	21 May 2014 10:03
Item ID:	8679
Journal or Publication Title:	Studies in the History and Philosophy of Science
Publisher:	Elsevier Ltd
Official URL:	http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S...
Subjects:	General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science General Issues > Philosophers of Science General Issues > Values In Science
Date:	March 2010
Volume:	41
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/8679

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  • Pierre Duhem’s Good Sense as a guide to Theory Choice. (deposited 21 May 2014 10:03)

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