Shan, Yafeng (2019) A New Functional Approach to Scientific Progress. [Preprint]

Preview

Text A New Functional Approach to Scientific Progress - preprint.pdf Download (370kB) | Preview

Abstract

This paper develops and defends a new functional approach to scientific progress. I begin with a review of the problems of the traditional functional approach. Then I propose a new functional account of scientific progress, in which scientific progress is defined in terms of usefulness of problem-defining and problem-solving. I illustrate and defend my account by applying to the history of genetics. Finally, I highlight the advantages of my new functional approach over the epistemic and semantic approaches and dismiss some potential objections to my approach.

---

Export/Citation:

EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Shan, Yafeng ys1@mail.tau.ac.il 0000-0001-7736-1822
Keywords:	scientific progress, usefulness, problem-defining, problem-solving
Subjects:	General Issues > Theory Change
Depositing User:	Dr Yafeng Shan
Date Deposited:	04 Apr 2019 01:54
Last Modified:	04 Apr 2019 01:54
Item ID:	15876
Subjects:	General Issues > Theory Change
Date:	2019
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/15876

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item