Philosophy 2700F/G Study Guide - Quiz Guide: Imre Lakatos, Dogma, Methodology
26 Oct 2018
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Popper: a theory is better than its rival if it has more empirical content, that is t forbids more observable states of affairs and if some of this excess content is corroborated ( theory produces novel facts) Growth of science is linear in the sense that theories are followed by eliminating refutations and these refutations in turn by new theories. No elimination without the acceptance of a better theory. Theoretically progressive problem shift: series of successive theories each of which has higher content than its predecessor. Empirically progressive shift: series of theories each of which produces facts not entailed by a predecessor. Not an isolate theory but only a series of theories or a research program can be said to be scientific or unscientific. Popper has left the problem of remarkable continuity in science unresolved. Scientists tend to ignore counter-examples and their theories frequently show remarkable tenacity (persistent determination)
